234 SYLVIIDjE. 



" The nest already described was built hardly 2 feet off the ground, 

 was rather clumsy (if I might use such an expression), and was 

 composed of three leaves. The eggs were white, covered with 

 brownish-pink blotches almost coalescing at the large end. 

 Another nest, taken in my presence (July, again, which is the 

 general time) from the very top of a high tree, was enclosed inside 

 of one leaf, the sides being neatly sewn together, and the cavity at 

 the bottom lined with wool, down, and horsehair. These eggs 

 (four) are covered, chiefly at the larger ends, with minute red 

 spots. 



" A third nest seen by me was composed of seven or eight 

 leaves." 



Captain Hutton tells us that he has seen many nests. All were 

 " composed of cotton, wool, vegetable fibre, and horsehair, formed 

 in the shape of a deep cup or purse, enclosed between two long 

 leaves, the edges of which were sewed to the sides of the nest, in 

 a manner to support it, by threads spun by the bird." 



He adds that the birds, though common at their bases, do not 

 ascend the hills ; but this is a mistake, for I have repeatedly taken 

 nests at elevations of over 3000 feet; and Mr. Gammie, writing 

 from Sikhim, says : " We often find nests of this species near my 

 house at Mongphoo (which is at an elevation of about 3500 feet). 

 I took one there on the 16th May, which contained four hard-set 

 eggs. It was in a calicarpa tree and between two of its long ovate 

 leaves, the terminal halves of which were sewn together by the 

 edges, so as to form a purse in which the real nest was placed. 

 Yellow silk of some wild silkworm was the sewing material 

 used." 



Again, writing from the Mlgiris, Miss Cockburn remarks : 

 " The Tailor-bird is seldom met with on the highest ranges, but 

 appears to prefer the warmer climates enjoyed at the elevation of 

 about 3500 or 4000 feet. They often build in the coffee-trees ; a 

 nest now before me was built on a coffee-tree, two of the leaves of 

 which were bent down and sewn together. The threads are of 

 cobweb, and the cavity is lined with the down of seed-pods and 

 fine grass. At the back of the nest the leaves are made to meet, 

 but are a little apart in front, so as to form an opening for the 

 birds to hop in and out. The depth of the nest inside is 2% inches. 

 It was found in the month of June, and contained four eggs, which 

 were white spotted with light red." 



Of its breeding in Nepal, Dr. vScully tells us : " It breeds freely 

 in the valley at an elevation of 4500 feet. 1 took many of its 

 nests in the Eesidency grounds, Eani Jangal, &c., in May, June, 

 and July." 



Major C. T. Bingham writes : " The Indian Tailor-bird breeds 

 in April, May, and June, both at Allahabad and at Delhi. The 

 nest formed of one, two, and occasionally three, leaves neatly sewn 

 so as to form a cone, and lined with the down of the madar, is well 

 known." 



Colonel Butler has furnished me with the following note : 



