THE BIRDS OF THE LUCKNOW CIVIL DIVISION. 51 
The Koel, if, may be noted, invariably lays its eggs in the 
nests of this species. 
674.—Dendrocitta rufa, Scop. Native name— 
. Mootrv. 
14th November, Female.—Length, 16; expanse, 18°; 
wing, 5°90; tail, 9°50; tarsus, 1:30; bill, from gape, 1:20; 
weight, 3 oz. 
The Common Indian Tree-pie is a permanent resident, abun- 
dant in all well-wooded tracts, as well as in the gardens and 
avenues about Lucknow. A specimen that I shot had 
evidently robbed some nest, for its bill was smeared with the 
yolk of eggs. On another occasion, I actually caught one 
in the act of robbing a Babbler’s nest. 
This Tree-pie breeds generally from May to the end of July, 
making its nest on high mangoe trees, invariably very near 
their tops. I have found the following nests :— 
May 8th... -. nest and 4 eggs (fresh ). 
” 17th eee eee bb) 2 2) ( 9 ) 
ee abel fens eee ” gy vant) Wc genie 
daly 5th... a ree meric oi 
x” 7th eee eco ” 4) 9) ( ” ) 
In some nests, the eggs were white with reddish-brown spots ; 
in others of a light bluish-green color with much lighter 
brown spots. Of the former variety I have six eggs; of the 
latter ten, They measure respectively :— 
White variety : 
Average ae eee 1°14 by °81 inches. 
Largest aa aria ol (cape 1 a 
Smallest nee oat LZ ee OU thes 
Bluish variety : 
Average “at ... 1:08 by °83 inches. 
Largest oct goer E20) OO y ae 
Smallest : FOO: 7.6207, 
681.—Sturnus vulgaris, Jin. Native names— 
Kusnai and Tilora. 
The Common Starling is very abundant during the cold 
weather, frequenting open cultivated tracts and putting up 
for the night in neighbouring trees. It associates in flocks— 
large or small. These flocks, before roosting, occasionally go 
through a few evolutionary manceuvres on the wing; at other 
times they may be seen at dusk flying very low, rising now 
and then to clear trees, and evidently in a great hurry to reach 
