406 Mr. H. E. Dresser on rare and 



(4) Passer ammodendri, Severtzoff. Saxaul Sparrow. 

 (PI. X. figs. 5-8.) 



Four eggs of this bird were taken by Mr. Zarudny at 

 Tedjeur, Transcaspia, on the 17th of May, 1892, and at 

 Repetek, Transcaspia, on the 4th of May, 1892. The nest of 

 this Sparrow resembles that of Passer dpmesticus, being some- 

 times open and at other times with an entrance at the side. 

 It is constructed of saxaul twigs, and lined with camel's hair 

 and feathers. It is usually placed in a saxaul tree, and not 

 unfrequently in the outer portion of the nest of a Kite or 

 other bird-of-prey. This Sparrow also builds occasionally in a 

 ruined hut or even in the side of a well, or in a fissure on the 

 steep slope of a sand-hill. In some clutches one egg is much 

 paler than the rest (see fig. 7), but it appears that this is not so 

 often the case as it is with Passer yatii. The eggs received 

 from Mr. Zarudny average 0*75 by 0'57 inch in dimensions. 



(5) Anthus similis (Jerdon). Brown Rock - Pipit. 

 (PI. X. figs. 12, 13.) 



A clutch of four eggs, two of which are figured, is in the 

 collection— but in a very dilapidated state, having been 

 much incubated when taken by Mr. Zarudny, at Noukabad, 

 in Baluchistan, on the 2nd of May, 1901. The nest of this 

 Pipit is roughly constructed of grass, and is placed on the 

 ground amongst herbage or under a bush. The eggs vary in 

 size from 0-82 by 062 to 0"87 by 0-65 inch. 



(6) Pycnorhamphuscarneipes (Hodgson). White-winged 

 Grosbeak. (PI. X. figs. 9-11.) 



A clutch of four eggs of this bird was taken in the same 

 locality as the eggs of Lusciniola indica on the 20th of May, 

 1899. The nest (see text-fig. 13, p. 407) was placed on the 

 small lower branch of a juniper-tree, close to the stem and 

 about five feet above the ground. The measurements of the 

 nest are as follows : — 



mm. in. 



Extreme outer diameter 150 (5-90) 



Diameter of cup 85 (3-34) 



Depth of cup 50 (1-97) 



Height of nest 75 (2-95) 



