Nidijication of Indian Birds. 335 



broad oval shape^ AvLich most abnormal eggs of this genus 

 assume. The texture is precisely the same as it is in the 

 eggs of Cyornis rubeculoides and C. tickelU, though the shell 

 may average a shade stronger. Fifteen eggs average 0"' 79 x 

 0"58, and among these the largest measures 0""8J^ x ()"-Gl 

 and the smallest 0"-70x (y'-56. 



They breed principally in the end of April and the first 

 few days of May, a few late pairs not having their eggs laid 

 until the end of that month. They aflect shady ravines and 

 cool evergreen-forest for breeding purposes, and though in 

 the cold season they may often be seen in clump-bamboo 

 jungle, I do not think they ever build in such places. Like 

 all the Blue Flycatchers, C. magnivostris is a very close sitter, 

 but it is a shy bird, and a nest once handled is sure to be 

 deserted. 



48. Anthipes leucops. {Oates, op. cit, ii. p. 33.) 

 This is a decidedly rare bird in Cacliar ; I have met with 

 very few specimens, and, until May this year, 1895., never 

 saw a nest. During this month, however, I was so lucky as 

 to get no less than four, three containing eggs and the fourth 

 newly-hatched young. My first nest was taken on the 3rd 

 of May, from the bank of a small but deep ravine running 

 through rather dense forest, at an altitude of some 4800 feet. 

 It was placed at the roots of a small bush and was well 

 concealed, notice being first drawn to it by the flight of one 

 of the parent birds. Nooses made from fibres of the bark of 

 a tree-fern which grew close by were set about the nest, 

 and in a few minutes both birds returned. For a short 

 while they refrained from visiting their nest, but at last one 

 made a dive for it, going straight into the noose set at its 

 mouth. The cries made attracted its mate, who went to see 

 what was the cause, and, as it fortunately happened, placed 

 his foot in another noose set a few inches from the nest. 

 Taking the birds out of the nooses, I then examined the nest, 

 which contained two fresh eggs. These were very different 

 from those of the genus Cyornis, and differed considerably 

 even from those of its ally C. polioyenys. The ground is 



