BIRDS' NESTING IN THE TONS VALLEY. 473 



I should be very glad of any suggestions as to what the bird laying 

 the above white eggs might be. 

 29. (1186). Glaucidium brodlei. — The Collared Pigmy Owlet. 



This bird is fairly common in the lower hills from 6,000 to 9,000 

 feet. I found a nest on May 1st in a " mora" oak tree at an elevation 

 of about 8,000 feet. The nest-hole was about 20 feet from the ground 

 and had evidently been orginally excavated by a woodpecker. It con- 

 tained three fresh eggs which measured 1*17" X '98", 1*15" X "94" 

 and I'll" X*92". 



30. Scolopax eusticola. — The Woodcock. 



I was particularly anxious to find a nest of the woodcock. The birds 

 themselves are fairly numerous in the forests just below the snows, and 

 may be seen every evening at dusk flying slowly overhead uttering the 

 strange loud " chirrup " which they reserve for such occasions, and 

 which is very like the cry of the Indian night-jar (C. monticola) as he 

 flits about in the twilight. 



In spite of unremitting search, accompanied by an offer of rewards to 

 the hill men, I never found a single nest either this or last year. On June 

 17th, however, as I was leaving their favourite haunts, I flushed a wood- 

 cock in thick herbage at my feet, which only flew a few yards and then 

 fell fluttering to the ground again. My heart beat fast, for I thought that 

 at last [ had certainly found the long-sought-for treasure, but no such 

 luck ; for I soon saw instead of eggs three tiny chicks only a day or two 

 old, quite unable to fly but most clever at running and hiding them-> 

 selves. I then turned my attention to their mother who, all the time 

 I had been inspecting her brood, had been going through the strangest 

 of antics with outspread wings and tail, and making a continuous sort 

 of grating, purring noise. She allowed me to approach within a few 

 feet, and then with an apparent effort, half fluttered half ran away. 



31. (202). Oliguka castaneiooronata. — The Chestnut-headed 



Short- wing. 



This beautiful little bird is not uncommon in the dense forests with 

 thick undergrowth at about 11,000 feet. It has a very loud call of four 

 notes, not unlike but shriller than, that of Culicicapa ceylonensis. I failed 

 entirely to find iis nest, though I spent a good deal of time looking for it 

 and I fancy the breeding season must be in July. The distribution of this 

 species is put down in the " Fauna of India" as Nepal, Sikhim and the 

 Khasi Hills, so that this is apparently a new locality for the bird. 



