AND TYPES OF EGGS. 19 
posit them in holes which they cut fort hemselves in trees. They usually 
select a decayed tree, and the circular orifice pierced, they occupy the 
natural cavity in the centre of the trunk or bough. 
Cuckoos, (Cuculus, Hierococcyx, Polyphasia, Surniculus, Chry- 
sococeyx, Coccystes, Eudynamis).—All these birds are migratory more or 
less, and parasitic in their habits. They appear for breeding purposes 
in the spring in the hills, and in the rains in the plains, and lay their eggs 
in other birds’ nests, selecting, according to circumstances, the bird 
most likely to prove useful in rearing their young for them. One of the 
hawk cuckoos (H. sparverioides) is said to build its own nest in the Nil- 
giris, but this requires confirmation. 
Ground cuckoos, (Zanclostomus, Centropus, Taccocua).—These 
birds are somewhat locally distributed ; they chiefly inhabit dense jungle 
and thickets, and where they occur are permanent residents. They build 
massive stick nests often domed over, in thick cover, and lay white eggs, 
rather chalky in texture. 
Spider-hunters, (Arachnothera).—These are a Malayan form, 
only two species extending to India. The nest of the big spider-hunter 
(A. magna) is a very neat massive deep cup, sewn to a leaf of the plantain 
tree, and the eggs are deep greyish brown. 
Honeysuckers, (Gthopyga, Leptocoma, Arachnechthra.)—One 
species, the purple honeysucker (A. asiatica), is spread throughout India. 
The other species, and there are many, are very local. The greater 
number confined to the Himalayas. They build a beautiful little pear- 
shaped hanging nest, with a side entrance, overhung by a fringe, and 
lay two much speckled eggs, They are partially migratory and frequent 
warm valleys and jungles, 
Flower-peckers, (Dicewn, Piprisoma, Myzanthe, Pachy- 
glossa).—These birds are generally local and are not migratory. The 
nest is a beautiful little purse-shaped structure of a delicate felt-like 
substance hung not by a point but by an edge from a bough. The eggs 
are white in some species and spotted in others. They affect well-wooded 
localities, and often keep to the tops of high trees for feeding ; though the 
nests are as often as not quite low down. The last two genera are only 
found in the eastern Himalayas. 
Tree-creepers, (Certkia, Salpornis.)—The true tree-creepers 
(Certhia) are confined to the Himalayas where they are permanent 
residents. The nests are high up in trees behind crevices in bark and 
