188 Mr. W. Jesse— Birds' -7iesfm(/ 



ground about 20 yards from the tree, calmly watched the 

 robbery of their possessions. I subsequently got a third egg 

 from this ne»t, if anytliing, more handsomely marked than the 

 others. Unfortunately I did not know the peculiarity of these 

 eggs, and, as this one was very dirty, I commenced washing 

 it with soap and water, scrubbing it with a nail-brush. To my 

 great surprise and vexation, all one side and part of the other 

 were quite spoilt, and I learned by experience — the most 

 excellent of teachers — that, unless washed with the greatest 

 care, these eggs lose much of their beautiful coloration. 

 What the nature of the markings is I do not know, nor can 1 

 find any remarks as to its composition amongst the authorities 

 on ornithulogy. The natives declare that it is blood. 



One of the most beautiful nests to be found about this 

 time is that of the Thick-billed Flower-pecker [Piprisoma 

 agile). It is a beautiful little purse — hanging from a small 

 branch in such a way that the wood makes a sort of rafter 

 as it passes through the nest — and is made chiefly of 

 down and spider's web, mixed with some vegetable fibre, 

 which gives the whole structure a reddish-brown colour. 

 One peculiarity of this nest is that it can be rolled up 

 and unrolled again withotit losing its shape. The eggs 

 remind me more of those of the European Grasshopper- 

 Warbler than of any others with which I am acquainted, 

 thoiigh of course they are smaller. 



The nests of this species and of the Small Mini vet {Peri- 

 crocotus peregrinns) are difficult to find, and the most 

 successful method is to watch the birds, if they appear to be 

 building. I cannot understand why Mr. Hume only men- 

 tions the months of June, July, and August as the breeding- 

 time of this Minivet. I know the species well, having 

 obtained nests, eggs, and birds, and this year, at any rate, 

 no eggs were taken in Lucknow to my knowledge after the 

 beginning of May ; so I am surprised that Mr. Hume did 

 not find them earlier. 



The first nest with eggs of this species that I found was 

 taken on April 9th, and a description of the discovery and 

 subsequent taking of the nest may be of interest. 



