PYCTOEHIS. 97 



Mr. E. M. Adam remarks : " This species builds about Agra 

 in May, June, and July. The nest is a beautiful deep cup-shaped 

 structure, almost always fastened to a branch of a low bush. The 

 normal number of eggs appears to be four." 



From Kotagherry, near Ootacamund, Miss Cockburn records that 

 " this bird builds a neat cup-shaped nest, generally choosing a 

 branch consisting of three upright sprigs, at the bottom of which 

 the building is placed. The nests (one of which is now before me) 

 are begun with broad grass-leaves, and the inside compactly lined 

 with fine fibres of the same material : to render the whole firm, 

 a few cobwebs are added to the outside, thus fixing the nest securely 

 to the sprigs. These birds build in the months of June and July, 

 and, as far as I have observed, lay only three eggs." 



Mr. Philipps, quoted by Dr. Jerdon, says that this bird "gene- 

 rally builds on banyan-trees." This is clearly a mistake. I have 

 known of the taking, or have myself taken, altogether upwards of 

 fifty nests in the North- Western Provinces, whence Mr. Philipps 

 was writing, and never yet heard of or saw a nest of this species on 

 a banyan. 



Mr. H. Wenden writes : " At Egatpoora, the top of the Thull 

 Ghat incline, I noticed, on 30th September, a partly-built nest of 

 this species. Watching for some time, I ascertained that both birds 

 shared in the labour of construction. It was situated in the tri- 

 furcated stalk of that plant which bears a clover-like blossom (called 

 Kessara-Hind and Koordoo-Mhar), about 3 feet above the ground, 

 the stalks passing through the side-walls of the nest, which cannot 

 have a better description than that given by Mr. Hume (page 238, 

 * Eough Draft *). The first egg was laid on 2nd October, and 

 another each succeeding day until there were five. On the 10th 

 the hen-bird was shot and the nest taken. 



" On 30th October, in a garden near the same place, another 

 nest was found, on the twigs of a pangra tree, containing three 

 young birds and one egg." 



Messrs. Davidson and Wenden say: "Tolerably common in 

 the Sholapoor District ; more so in the better-wooded parts, and 

 breeds." 



Finally, Colonel Butler sends me the following note : 



" Belgaum, 14th September, 1880. A nest in sugar-cane about 

 2 feet from the ground, containing five fresh eggs. 17th September : 

 another nest in a sugar-cane field, containing five eggs about to 

 hatch. In both instances the nest was built, not 011 the blades of 

 sugar-cane, but on a solitary green-leaved weedy-looking plant 

 growing amongst the sugar-cane. 



"The Yellow-eyed Babbler breeds during the rains. I have 

 taken nests on the following dates : 



"July 26, 1875. A nest containing 4 fresh eggs. 



" July 30, 1875. 3 fresh eggs. 



" Aug. 14, 187o. 4 fresh eggs. 



" Aug. 21, 1875. 4 fresh eggs. 



" July 18, 1876. 4 fresh eggs. 



VOL. i. 7 



