358 



Nidification. Breeds at Fao from the last few days of May to 

 the end of July, making a cup-shaped nest of roots, palm fibre 

 and grass, lined with grass, wool or hair. It is placed generally 

 on a leaf of a date-palm at any height from 3 to 10 feet from 

 the ground ; it has also been found in cactus-hedges and, very 

 rarely, in thorny bushes. The eggs number either four or five, 

 occasionally only three, and are a dull white with pale grey 

 blotches and spots of grey. The texture is fine and close but 

 almost glossless and, in shape, they are fairly broad ovals with 

 the smaller end distinctly compressed. The eegs measure about 

 26-2 x 18-7 mm. 



According to Gumming "the male assists the female in building 

 the nest and sitting on the eggs. 



" The nest is completed in three to four days ; one egg is laid 

 daily till the full number is completed, i. e., four or five and about 

 14 days are taken in incubating." 



Habits. Apparently the Hypocolius is locally migratory, leaving 

 the hilly country during the breeding season and taking to the 

 date-gardens and semi-cultivated country. 



" The call of these birds is a very pleasing liquid note, nothing 

 like the harsh cry of the Shrikes. The female has only the one 

 call ; the male has a different call, but often imitates the female, 

 especially when alarmed ; he has also the habit of erecting the 

 feathers of his head when excited. They are more arboreal, at 

 least in Fao, than the Shrikes. They live chiefly on fruit, but 

 also indulge in a little insect diet, as several stomachs I have 

 examined contained legs and wings of beetles etc, 



" They become very tame if reared from the nest " (dimming.) 



