234 A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ORNITHOLOGT OF NEPAL. 



the year, migrating to lower levels in winter. It was not un- 

 common in the Nawakot district about the end of November, 



This species breeds in the valley from April to the end of 

 July, some birds certainly producing two broods in the season. 

 The nests are made of pellets of fine light-coloured clay, 

 and are usually fixed between the rafters of verandahs or 

 of rooms which are little used. The shape of the nest is a rather 

 irregular half-retort, the entrance being long and narrow. The 

 usual number of eggs laid is four, and these rest on a beautiful 

 cushion of soft feathers — often those of the Chikore, Black 

 Partridge and Pigeon. The eggs are well-known • pure delicate 

 white, in shape long oval, smaller at one end. 



89.— Ootyle sinensis, J. B. Gr. 



Four specimens, Valley, February to June. — Length, 4'0 to 

 4*5; expanse, 97 to 10'3 ; wing, 3"6 to 3'8 ; tail, 1*75 to 1*9 ; 

 tarsus, 04 ; bill from gape, 0'42 to 0"47 ; closed wings short of 

 tail, 0-2 to 0-6. 



Bill black ; gape pale fleshy ; irides dark brown ; feet dusky 

 brownish ; claws dusky. 



Male, Valley, ISth May. — Length, 4*4; expanse, 9*7 ; wing, 

 3*3 ; tail, 1*8 ; tarsus, 4 ; bill from gape, 0*45 ; closed wings 

 short of tail, 0"15. 



Bill black ; irides dark brown ; feet brown fleshy ; claws 

 dusky. 



These five specimens have the rump and upper tail-coverts 

 decidedly paler than the back. 



The Bank Martin is fairly common in the valley of Nepal, 

 and resides there throughout the year ; in winter it is very 

 noticeable, as the Swallows and Swifts are then absent. It was 

 found in fair numbers in winter in the Nawakot district and 

 Markhu Valley. 



The bird is usually found over wet fields and marshy ground, 

 and along the course of streams. It has its holes and breeds in 

 the banks of rivers and in the sides of the alluvial cliffs so 

 common in the valley of Nepal. 



91.— Cotyle rupestris, Soop. 



This Crag Martin was only noticed, on a few occasions, in the 

 great valley, but was more common in the Nawakot district 

 and the Markhu Valley in winter. It was always found over 

 mountain streams having high rocky banks. 



100.— Cypsellus affinis, J. K Gr. 



Five males. — Length, 5"0 to 5'2 ; expanse, 12 "25 to 13 j 

 wing, 50 to 5-3 ; tail, 1'9 to 215 ; tarsus, 0*34 to 035 ; bill 



