THE BIRDS OF NOR TH CA CHA R. 231 



miscellaneous collection of odds and ends soon accumulates at the 

 bottom of the hole, of which pellets thrown up the birds themselves 

 1 form the greater part. 



Occasionally the deserted nest-hole of a wood-pecker or barbetis made 

 use of for nesting purposes, for on one occasion, when visiting a tree in 

 which I had found a pair of blue-faced Barbets (Cyanops asiatica) 

 breeding, I discovered that a pair of owls had taken possession of the 

 hole, and a few days later a Naga brought me an egg which he had 

 obtained there. 



The full number of eggs laid appears to be four, very rarely five. 

 I have seen five young ones twice and five eggs once, but I have never 

 seen less than four young or less than four eggs when the latter showed 

 any signs of incubation. In texture the eggs are, I think, somewhat 

 finer and smoother than in those of most birds of this family. Freshly- 

 laid eggs show a fine gloss. They are rather large in proportion to the 

 size of the bird laying them, and in shape are very broad, very regular 

 ovals. Three clutches, each of four, measure, on an average, 1*13" 

 X 0-97", 1-26" X 1-03" and T24" X ri8". The longest and shortest 

 eggs measure 1*27" and I'll" respectively, and the broadest and 

 narrowest 1*13" and 0*95" respectively. They are early breeders, and 

 I think the majority of birds commence their breeding operations about 

 the middle of March, a few as late as April. I have taken eggs as late 

 July, but the probability was that these were eggs of a second brood. 



This is a common little bird in North Cachar, and its clear musical 

 whistling call may be heard any day during the breeding season either 

 in the early morning or just before dusk. Its ordinary call consists of 

 four notes, the first the loudest, then two quicker, and then the fourth 

 lower and fainter, often inaudible at a distance, and sometimes omitted 

 altogether. It is a very easy note to imitate, and the bird may often 

 be induced to answer an imitation of its cry, thereby revealing its posi- 

 tion to the collector. I believe this bird to be capable of considerable 

 ventriloquism, for I have stood under a tall tree into which I have seen 

 this bird fly and have heard the notes uttered, at first very faintly and 

 as if far away in the distance, and then louder and louder as if the bird 

 was gradually approaching. 



During the day-time it generally perches very high up in lofty 

 trees which are well covered by foliage, and under these circumstances 



