72 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XL 



described by Hume for Larvivora brunnea were of a uniform pale 

 blue, in shade about the same as in the eggs of the English starling. 

 There were four eggs in each nest, the largest egg measuring *84" X 

 •78", the smallest '78" X *58", and the mean of eight eggs *80" X '60". 

 Next year I hope to revisit this locality and to be able to speak more 

 positively as to their identity. 



15 (1186). Glaucidium Modiei. — The Collared Pigmy Owlet. 



I found a nest of this pretty little owlet on May 21st, close to the 

 Deoban Forest bungalow, at an elevation of 9,000 feet. It was 

 situated in a hole in a "karshu " oak tree, which had formerly been 

 excavated by some woodpecker (probably Dendrocopus Jiimalayensis) 

 at a height of about 12 feet from the ground. The nest hole had to 

 be enlarged with an axe, and when finally my hand was inserted it 

 had a warm reception from the mother bird inside, who evidently 

 knew how to use her beak and claws with the best possible advantage. 

 She allowed herself, however, to be taken out of the hole and to be 

 handed round for inspection, after which she was replaced. The nest 

 contained four freshly-hatched young and one egg, very large for the 

 size of the bird, very round and of the usual owl type. The owlet 

 did not desert her nest, and I afterwards obtained a pair of her young 

 which until quite lately were both alive in my possession, as tame as 

 possible, and making very interesting pets with their comic gestures 

 and grotesque movements. 



Now, as I write, on a Peninsular and Oriental boat, I have only 

 one, the female, who sits unabashed in her solitary cell, but with the 

 guilt of fratricide heavy upon her. 



