260 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HLST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXI. 



I find a note recorded in my Journals with reference to the nests of the 

 Western Spotted Forktail that they have, as a rule, a good deal of damp 

 earth mixed in their bases, and that this apparently helps towards 

 concealment by keeping the moss fresh and green. The same was the case 

 with the Little Forktail. When in situ the moss composing the external 

 layers of the nests was quite fresh and damp ; by the time they reached 

 home, the moss had dried up, and began to drop off, and the structures 

 assumed a shrivelled up appearance. 



For purposes of comparison, I give below detailed measurements of the 

 nests of the two species of Forktails : — 



The eggs of this find measured -85" x -6"; •83"x-58"; and -83" x '6": 

 and their weights were 1 (a, 31 grains, and 2 (a), 33 grains each. 



Summing up the results of the two nests, I find that the eggs varied in 

 length from -8" to -85..' ; and in breadth from •58" to -6" ; but the average 

 measurements of the 4 eggs were •82"X'59"; and their average weight 

 was 32 grains. 



In shape the eggs were elongated ovals, somewhat pointed towards the 

 small end ; the texture of the shells was fine, and they had very little gloss, 

 if any. Their ground colour was almost white, or perhaps very pale dingy 

 pink, and they were thinly spotted and speckled, chiefly towards the large 

 end, with reddish-brown. In one egg the spots and specks have a ten- 

 dency to form an irregular zone. 



The number of eggs laid by this species apparently varies from 2 to 3. 

 Since writing these notes Mr. E. C. Stuart Baker, F.L.S., F.Z.S., 

 M.B.O.U., informs me that he recorded the finding of this bird's nest 

 some years ago both in the 'Mbii'.", and in the Bombay Natural History 

 Society's Journal, and that he is under the impression that B. B. Osmaston 

 also recorded finding the nest in the latter paper. Mr. Baker adds " the 



