22 HABITS AND HAUNTS OF BIRDS 
and better wooded districts. Some of the blue red-breasts (Cyornis) 
breed in the plains of south India. All the others breed in 
the hills, and the greatest number breed in the Himalayas. Their 
nests are all ingenious. Some of them most beautiful little structures, 
seldom at any great height from the ground, and often resting on it. 
The eggs are in all cases prettily marked and spotted. 
Wrens, (Tesia, Pneopyga, Troglodytes, Rimator).—Are 
only found in the Himalayas within the Indian limits. They frequent 
moist forests and live in thick undergrowth. They are not migratory. 
Very little is known of their breeding, but they probably all make domed 
nests in thick creepers against trunks of trees. 
Shortwings, (Brachypteryz,  Callene, Hodgsonius ).—Are 
found only in mountainous countries and like the wrens frequent 
dense underwood in forests. Very little is known of them, but they do 
not appear to be migratory. 
Whistling thrushes, (Myiophonus).—Are hill birds, though 
they extend especially in the cold weather into the forests below. They 
are seldom found far from water or in open country, and they breed in 
retired places exclusively in the hills. The eggs are long, pointed, 
and freckled all over with minute spots. 
Ground thrushes, (/ydroruis, Pitta)—Are birds of very 
retiring habits, keeping on or near the ground in tangled brashwood or 
dense cover. They appear to be very local in their distribution, and some 
of them migrate, but their shyness prevents much observation of their 
habits. The eggs are white, more or less spotted and streaked. 
Water ouzels, (Hydrotata).—Are only found in the Himalayas 
frequenting streams of running water. The eggs are pure white. 
Long-billed thrushes, (Zoothera).—Only one species is found 
in India. It is confined to the Himalayas, and frequents tangled brush- 
wood by streams in dense forest. Nothing is known of its nidification or 
migrations. The eggs of Zoothera, as far as they are known, resemble 
those of Putta. 
Rock thrushes, (Petrocossyphus).—Are migratory birds fre~ 
quenting rocky plains. They are only known to breed in India in the 
far north-west. The eggs are blue, slightly speckled. 
Chat thrushes, (Orocwtes).—Are found commonly on wooded 
hills. They breed only in the Himalayas, but in the winter descend to the 
warm valleys and even to the plains, They all build their nests on the 
