Nidification of Indian Birds. 263 



whilst I was examining the young, but returned at once 

 to their nest as soon as I left. My second nest was brought 

 to me by a Naga the next day, who took it in the same 

 valley, catching the cock bird on it. It contained a single 

 egg, which took some finding amongst the cotton-down which 

 filled the interior. It was placed on a mossy bank amongst 

 stones. 



The third nest taken was wedged amongst the moss- 

 covered roots of a large tree ; it agreed exactly in description 

 with the others, but was somewhat larger, measuring about 

 six by four inches. It contained four hard-set and unblowable 

 eggs. 



Yet a fourth nest was found in the lower part of a 

 bamboo-clump, between two huge dead bamboos which had 

 a little moss and much lichen on them. The nest was like 

 that last described, and had the normal lining of cotton-down 

 completely filling the interior and sticking out through the 

 opening. It contained two fresh eggs, even smaller than those 

 of C. castaneiceps , measuring only *48 by •40 in. and *48 by 

 •39 in. In shape they are broad ovals, hardly at all com- 

 pressed towards the smaller end. The texture is very fine 

 and close, and the shell extremely tough for so tiny an egg : 

 they are, of course, white and fairly glossy. 



The other eggs which I have seen were exactly similar, 

 but were, I think, bigger, though I have not their exact 

 measurements. 



This bird breeds in April and May and, in North Cachar, 

 not under some 4000 feet. 



10.2. TlCRELLIA HODGSONI. 



Oates, F. B. Ind. i. p. 432 ; Osmaston, 13. N. H. S. J. 

 xv. p. 512. 

 The only collector who has ever taken the nest and eggs 

 of this tiny Warbler is Mr. Osmaston, who thus describes 

 them in the Bombay Journal : — 



" I came across one on the 0th of June in a thicket 

 of saplings in a lofty forest at about 6800 feet. 



" The nest was placed in a fork at the top of a Symploces 

 sapling, seven feet from the ground. It is roughly egg- 



