FOR NORTHERN INDIA 93 



streamers according to the phase of his plum- 

 age. In the breeding season the cock sings a 

 sweet little lay an abridged version of 

 that of the fantail flycatcher. When alarmed 

 both the cock and the hen utter a sharp 

 tschit. 



May is perhaps the proper month in which 

 to describe the nesting of the various species 

 of myna. 



According to Hume the normal breeding 

 season of the common myna (Acridotheres 

 tristis) lasts from June to August, during 

 which period two broods are reared. This is 

 not correct. The nesting season of this 

 species begins long before June. The writer 

 has repeatedly seen mynas carrying twigs and 

 feathers in March, and has come across nests 

 containing eggs or young birds in both April 

 and May. June perhaps is the month in which 

 the largest numbers of nests are seen. The 

 cradle of the common myna is devoid of 

 architectural merit. It is a mere conglomera- 

 tion of twigs, grass, rags, bits of paper and 

 other oddments. The nesting material is 

 dropped haphazard into a hole in a tree or 

 building, or even on to a ledge in a verandah. 

 Four beautiful blue eggs are laid. 



