46 TUKDID.E. 



609. Pratincola atrata, Kelaart. The Southern Pied 

 Bush-Chat. 



Pratincola atrata, Blyth, Jerd. B, Ind. ii, p. 124. 



Pratincola bicolor (Sykes), Hmne, Rough Draft N. 8f E. no. 482. 



Specimens of Pied Bush-Chats from the Nilghiris, Pulneys, mid 

 other Southern Indian ranges are absolutely identical with others 

 from the hilly portions of Ceylon. Under these circumstances I 

 retain Kelaart's name atrata, assigned to the Ceylon bird. 



Many naturalists will doubt the propriety of separating specifi- 

 cally the Southern Pied Bush-Chat. The only difference between 

 this and the preceding species is one of size, and had I been able 

 to obtain intermediate sizes I should most certainly not have ad- 

 mitted the distinctness of the two. None of my specimens, how- 

 ever (and they are numerous), seem to show a gradation between 

 the lesser and greater races, and I therefore accept these as 

 distinct. 



1 have never taken the eggs myself, but many of these, as well 

 as of the nests, have been sent me from time to time by Mr. Carter 

 and other friends from the Nilghiris. All the nests appear to 

 have been taken in holes in banks and walls during March, April, 

 and May. They are all comparatively large, loose, saucer-shaped 

 pads from 4 to 5 inches in diameter and from an inch to 1| inch 

 in thickness, composed of grass and vegetable fibre, with in some a 

 few dead leaves, in others grass, roots, or a little wool, or a piece or 

 two of rag incorporated into the body of the nest. In some nests 

 there is a regular egg-cavity some 3 inches across and nearly an 

 inch in depth, while in others a very trifling depression towards 

 the centre of the pad serves to contain the eggs. The nests seldom 

 appear to have any regular lining. 



Mr. H. E. P. Carter says : " At Coonoor, on the Nilghiris, I 

 do not think this bird commences to build before the 15th March. 

 On the 18th I found two nests just finished. I constantly found 

 nests with eggs from that time until 22ud April. All the many 

 nests I found were placed in holes in a cutting or slope, generally 

 on the side of the road. They were more or less cup-shaped, and 

 often neatly made, generally of grass and fibres mixed with the fur 

 of hares. One nest I noted as made of grass, a small bit of coir 

 matting, fern-leaves, and down of thistle ; no lining. Some are 

 distinctly lined \vith fur and hairs. I think three is the most 

 usual number, but I have found four eggs in a nest on more than 

 one occasion. 



" The male, so far as I could make out, never sat on the nest nor 

 assisted the female during incubation." 



Mr. Davison remarks : " The nest of this bird is certainly the 

 most common on the Nilghiris. It nidificates in holes of banks or 

 old walls. The foundation of the nest is composed of dry leaves, 

 grass, roots, &c. The egg-cavity is usually lined with hair or fur, 

 or, where neither are obtainable, with fine dry grass. 



