38 MTISCICAPID^. 



with a lining of finer grasses ; they had broken off the three 

 leaves, leaving the stumps to support the nest/' 



The eggs of this species are slightly smaller than, but in other 

 respects precisely similar to, those of 11. alhifrontata. In shape 

 the eggs are a somewhat elongated oval, a good deal compressed 

 towards one end. They are wanting in gloss, and have a very pale 

 fawn-colour or yellowish or greyish-white ground, with, usually 

 near the large end, a conspicuous irregular zone of grey specks 

 and spots, a few yellowish or greyish-brown specks being sprinkled 

 over the rest of the egg. Perhaps the zone may be best described 

 as composed of a series of small spots and specks of yellowish 

 brown, intermingled with tiny clouds and spots of purplish grey. 



In length the eggs vary from O6 to O7 inch, and in breadth 

 from 0-48 to 0*52 inch; but the average is O65 by O49 inch. 



607. Rhipidura pectoralis (Jerd.). The White-spotted 

 Fantail Flycatcher. 



Leucocerca pectoralis, Jerd., Jerd. B. Ind. \, p. 453; Hume, Eowjh 

 Draft N. $ E. no. 293. 



The White-spotted Fautail Flycatcher breeds in the western 

 parts of India from Mount A boo to the Nilghiris. I myself have 

 never taken the eggs or nests of this species, but Miss Cockburn, 

 of Kotagherry, has furnished me with the following interesting 

 account of it and of its nidification : 



44 Though not very common on these hills, they are to be found 

 in pairs in certain localities, and their pleasing little song (con- 

 sisting of several notes which follow each other in a regularly 

 descending scale, like the words ' If it's a pity, to say it ; why do 

 you do it ? ') is frequently repeated. 



" These Fantails are most restless and active, constantly flitting 

 from one spray to another, and snapping up small insects while on 

 the wing. When seated on a branch their tails are raised and 

 spread to the full extent, while their wings are lowered and head 

 slightly thrown back. Sometimes they alight on the ground, 

 where it is amusing to watch their activity, which is evinced in a 

 kind of dance (with expanded tails), varied by a snap (like the 

 noise of castanets) aimed at some unfortunate little insect, whose 

 winged progress has suddenly been stopped by the keen-eyed 

 Fantail. 



" A pair of these birds are constantly in our garden, and do not 

 show the least degree of shyness or fear, often allowing me to 

 stand and watch them quite close. They build an extremely pretty 

 nest, very much resembling a wine-glass in shape, which, however, 

 appears to be unfinished, and is left with straws hanging down in 

 a careless manner. The upper portion of the nest is entirely 

 composed of very fine straws, with a thin addition of spiders' webs 

 outside, to keep the whole structure firm and also to strengthen 

 its hold on the slender branch to which it is attached. I have sat 



