156 CRATEROPODIDJE. 



to be worked over a light framework of fine roots and slender 

 tamarisk-stems, amongst which some little pieces of lichen are inter- 

 mingled. There is no attempt at a lining, the eggs being laid on 

 the fine grass and slender twigs (about the thickness of an ordinary- 

 sized pin) which compose the framework of the nest. 



The eggs as a rule appear to be two in number. 



Mr. Blewitt remarks : " The Green Bulbul breeds in July and 

 August. The bird does not preferentially select any one descrip- 

 tion of tree for its nest, though the greater number secured were 

 taken from mowah trees (Bassia latifolia). The nest is generally 

 firmly affixed at the fork of the end twigs of an upper branch from 

 15 to 25 feet from the ground. Sometimes, however, eschewing 

 twigs, the bird constructs its nest on the top of the main branch 

 itself, cunningly securing it with the material to the rough exterior 

 surface of the branch. Three is certainly the maximum number 

 of eggs. During the period of nidification the parent birds are 

 very watchful and noisy, and their alarm and over-anxiety on the 

 near approach of a stranger often betray the nest." 



The late Captain Beavan recorded the following interesting note 

 in regard to this species : 



" This handsome bird is very abundant in Manbhoom, where it 

 is called ' Hurrooa ' by the natives. Its note is so much like that 

 of Dicrurus ater that I have frequently been deceived by the 

 resemblance. It breeds in the district. A nest with two eggs 

 was brought to me at Beerachalee on April 4th, 1865. It is built 

 at the fork of a bough and neatly suspended from it, like a ham- 

 mock, by silky fibres, which are firmly fixed to the two sprigs of 

 the fork, and also form part of the bottom and outside of the 

 nest. The inside is lined with dry bents and hairs. The eggs 

 (creamy white with a few light pinky-brown spots) are rather elon- 

 gated, measuring 0-85 by 0-62. Interior diameter of nest 2-25, 

 depth 1*5. The cry of alarm of this species is like that of Parus 

 major." 



Dr. Jerdon remarked (' Illustrations of Indian Ornithology '), 

 writing at the time from Southern India : 



" I have seen a nest of this species in the possession of S. N. 

 Ward, Esq. It is a neat but slightly cup-shaped nest, composed 

 chiefly of fine grass, and was placed near the extremity of a 

 branch, some of the nearest leaves being, it was said, brought down 

 and loosely surrounding it. It contained two eggs, white, with a- 

 few claret-coloured blotches. Its nest and eggs, I may remark, 

 show an analogy to that of the Orioles." 



Mr. Layard tells us that this species is " extremely common in 

 the south of Ceylon, but rare towards the north. It feeds in small 

 flocks on seeds and insects, and builds an open cup-shaped nest. 

 The eggs, four in number, are white, thickly mottled at the obtuse 

 end with purplish spots." 



And Sir W. Jardine says : " For the interesting nest and eggs 

 of FhyUornis jerdoni, Blyth, we are indebted to E. S. Layard, Esq., 

 Magistrate of the district of Point Pedro (the northernmost 



