90 PSITTACID^E. 



" The first nest we found contained a single fresh egg ; this was on 

 the 6th of January. The second (taken on the 20th of January) 

 contained two fresh eggs, while the third, which we found on the 

 16th of February, yielded four hard-set ones. Probably four is the 

 full complement. The nest is invariably in a hole in a tree, at a 

 considerable height from the ground, and consists merely of a few 

 rotten leaves and a little decayed wood. I have never observed 

 this species either cutting a hole for itself or carrying any material 

 for a nest. The breeding-season seems to last from the 1st January 

 to the close of March. During April, old and young birds are 

 very noisy; the latter learning to ny, the former showing them 

 the way to set about it. The eggs are roundish, white and slightly 

 polished, and the average dimensions of seven were 1*07 inch by 

 0-88." 



One egg, which Mr. Bourdillon kindly sent me, is pure white, 

 has a faint gloss, and though broad and roundish is a good deal 

 compressed and more or less pointed at the small end. Two others 

 are dead white, entirely devoid of gloss and more regularly oval. 

 They vary in length from 1*09 to 1*14 inch, and in breadth from 

 0-9 to 0-93. 



Mr. Benjamin Aitken says: "I have seen this bird shot at 

 Khandalla in the hot season, and I suppose it is to be found on 

 other parts of the Western Ghats. Nestlings were brought to me 

 for sale at Poona on the 24th May, 1871 ; they were said to have 

 been taken on the hills." 



Messrs. Davidson and Wenden, writing of the Deccan, say of 

 this species : " Moderately common along the very top of the 

 ghats, and breeds there. 



"An old bird shot, whilst feeding a young one, in March." 



Palseornis calthropse, Layard. Layard's Paroquet. 

 Palaeornis calthropae, Layard, Hume, Cat. no. 151 bis. 



Speaking of Ceylon, Colonel Legge tells us that " the breeding- 

 season " of this species " commences in January. It nests in holes 

 of large trees ; but I have never been able to procure the eggs, 

 although I have more than once discovered the nest. I have seen 

 one situated in a bora-tree (Dipterocarpus zeylanicus) ; the old 

 birds, on flying to it, clung to the bark outside the opening, and 

 then pulled themselves into the hole, using the beak to assist 

 them in entering." 



Palaeornis fasciatus (P. L. S. Mull.). The Red-breasted Paroquet. 



Palaeornis javanicus (Osbeck), Jerd. B. Ind. i, p. 2G2. 



Palgeornis fasciatus (MiilL), 'Hume, Rouyh Draft N. $ E. no. 152. 



I have never myself found the eggs of this, the lled-breasted Paro- 

 quet. Mr. E-. Thompson writes to me as follows : " Palceornis 

 iavanicns. If this be the bird' described under the above name by 



