98 



Merula nigropileus (Lafr.). 



(Plate V. figs. 9 & 11.) 



Merula nigropileus, Seebohm, Cat. Birds B. 31. v. p. 250 (1881) ; Oates, 

 Fauna Brit. Intl., Birds, ii. p. 126 (1890) ; id. ed. Hume, Nests fy 

 Eggs Ind. Birds, ii. p. 5)1 (1890); Nehrk. Kat. Eiersamml. p. 37 

 (1899); Sharpe in Seebohm' s Mem. Turdidcc, ii. p. 67 (1900); id. 

 Hand-l. iv. p. 110 (1903). 



The eggs of the Black-capped Ouzel are of a broad oval form and 

 fairly glossy. They are of a pale greenish-grey or greenish-blue 

 colour, marked with small spots and larger blotches of pale brown, 

 reddish brown or chocolate, and underlying lilac or lavender. The 

 markings generally form more or less of a cap at the broad end, but 

 in two specimens the cap is at the pointed end. The eggs measure 

 from l - 04 to 1*12 in length, and from "79 to *85 in breadth. 



Merula simillima (Jerd.). 



Merula simillima, Seebohm, Cat. Birds B. M. v. p. 251 (1881) ; Oates, 

 Fauna Brit. Ind., Birds, ii. p. 124 (1890) ; id. ed. Hume, Nests 

 8f Eggs Ind. Birds, ii. p. 88 (1890); Nehrk. Eat. Eiersamml 

 p. 37 (1899) ; Sharpe in Seebohm's Mon. Turdidce, ii. p. 71 (1900) ; 

 id. Hand-l. iv. p. 119 (1903). 



The eggs of the Nilghiri Ouzel in the Collection are all from the 

 Nilghiri Hills, the bulk of them coming with the Hume Collection. 

 Consequently the excellent description of the eggs given in Hume's 

 ' Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds,' 2nd ed. vol. ii. pp. 89, 90, is here- 

 with given verbatim : — " The eggs are very similar to many varieties 

 " of those of the European lilackbird. In shape they are commonly 

 " a broad oval, pointed towards one end ; but, as in the case of our 

 "English favourite, the eggs are sometimes elongated and often 

 " perfectly oval, the smaller end being rounded and obtuse. The 

 " ground-colour varies somewhat, being sometimes of a beautiful 

 " bright blue-green, at others of a dull olive-green, and various 

 " intermediate shades occur. 



" They are richly speckled, mottled, and streaked, and at times 

 " even boldly blotched, with brighter and duller, deeper and lighter 

 " shades of brownish red, not unfrequently underlaid by faint spots 

 " and clouds of purplish pink or grey. The markings vary a good 

 " deal in extent and frequency, but, in perhaps a majority of the 

 " eggs, form a more or less conspicuous and confluent cap at the large 



