in and around Lucknow. 557 



26th, 1897. And again, near the same spot as the above, 

 another nest containing four fresh eggs. May 9th, 1897. 



Lanius vittatus, Valenciennes. Bay-backed Shrike. 



This very handsome little Shrike appears to be somewhat 

 locally distributed, being fairly common in certain spots and 

 absent in others. It breeds from March to August, and I 

 found several nests last year during that period. The nest 

 is very pretty, made of grass and twigs, and lined with rags, 

 wool, and hair. It is generally placed in a babool or in the 

 so-called '' cork ^'-tree, at a height varying from 10 to 20 

 feet from the ground. The largest number of eggs I have 

 found is five ; they are of the usual Shrike type and rather 

 round in shape. 



Graucalus MACiEi (Lcss.). Large Cuckoo-Shrike. 



This species is very generally distributed all over the 

 Division, breeding apparently from March to the end of 

 July. The only two nests I have seen were placed at the 

 extreme tip of the branch, and were with difficulty discovered 

 and reached. Both were small shallow cups made of twigs, 

 slightly lined with wool and hair. One nest contained two 

 eggs, which I am told is the usual number ; the other was 

 empty and the birds deserted without laying. These were 

 both found in March. On June 29th I saw one of these 

 birds fly across the road with a twig in its mouth. I was 

 driving at the time and could not stop, and, though I went 

 next day and searched very carefully, I could not find the 

 nest. The European and Eurasian boys of Lucknow call this 

 bird the " Tree-Plover " and the " Rain-bird," — why, I do not 

 know ; and my pupils failed to recognize it as belonging to 

 the Shrikes until I had pointed out its distinguishing 

 characteristics. 



Temenuchus pagodarum (Horsf.). Black -headed Myna. 



Hind. [Lucknow] : Pawai. 



I observed several pairs during the season, but the only 

 nest I saw was in a hole in a mango-tree and it contained 

 half- fledged young on June 28th. 



