218 NOTES ON THE NIDIFICATION OF CERTAIN SPECIES IN 



The eggs are oval in shape, white, with a pinkish tinge when 

 fresh, very minutely spotted and speckled with light red, most 

 densely at the larger end. The average of twelve eggs is *62 

 by -43. 



668 Us.— Pica rustica, Scop. 



The Magpie is not uncommon in the hills, wherever there 

 are trees, but it seldom descends to the plains. They com- 

 mence breeding in March, in which month and April I have 

 examined scores of nests, which in every case were built in 

 the " Wun/' a species of Pistacia — the only tree found here- 

 abouts. A stout fork near the top is usually selected. 



The nest is shallow and cup-shaped, with a superstructure of 

 twigs, forming a canopy over the egg cavity. The eggs, generally 

 five in number, are of the usual corvine green, blotched, spotted, 

 and streaked, as a rule, most densely about the large end with 

 umber mingled with sepia brown. The average of thirty 

 eggs is 1*25 by '97. 



706.— Passer domesticus, Lin. 



The Common Sparrow is ubiquitous in the summer ; in winter 

 not one is to be seen. 



I shall merely note the fact that it breeds here. 



710.— Passer montanus, Lin. 



The Tree Sparrow is a resident, and occurs, especially in the 

 cold weather, in great numbers ; but as the weather gets warmer 

 it is not noticed so often, retiring probably further into the hills 

 to breed. I have only succeeded in obtaining a single egg, and 

 this was taken from a hole in a tree. This ess does not differ 

 much from that of Passer domesticus. 



716.— Emberiza buchanani, Blyth. 



Is very common, appearing in the plains about March, but 

 they retire to the hills in May, when I believe they breed, 

 although I have been unable to verify the fact. But the testes 

 of the males and ovaries of the females are much enlarged at 

 this season. I found an empty nest at the foot of a stunted 

 bush, which I believe to belong to this species. 



This was on the Khojak. 



784— Palumbus casiotis, Bp. 



I did not see the Indian Cushat until midwinter, when they 

 appeared in vast flocks, and continued abundant until the 

 commencement of June, when they retired to the hills and 

 commenced breeding. The eggs are small for the size oi the 



