MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 549 



bark of the tree, for at least five minutes, vvheu it gave a convulsive flutter and 

 fell to tlie ground, being quite dead when picked up. Although we spent some 

 time observing it, it uttered no notes. 



The bird was very lively in its movements, first alighting at the base of a tree, 

 wliich it crept round rnpidly, until it reached the upper branches (merely stopping 

 occasionally to investigate a likely looking crevice), when it would fly to an 

 adjacent tree, and recommence its perambulations. 



The bird was an adult male, as ascertained on dissection, and as its testes were 

 in a norraul condition, it could not have been near the breeding season. I shall 

 nevertheless keep a good look-out for other specimens, which, if found, I shall 

 not molest, but carefully observe, with a view to learn more of this little-known 

 but interesting species. Although unlikely, yet it is still possible that it may be 

 found breeding here. 



The occurrence of this bird at' Khandesh was communicated to me by 

 Mr. Davison, as recorded in the appendix to my " Birds of Bombay,'" and this 

 extended the Southern limit of the species from Mount Abu to Khandesh, 

 Colonel Butler having found a specimen at the former place, which for a long time 

 remained the only recorded instance of its occurrence in the Western Presidency. 

 My discovery carries the limits about one hundred miles further South. 



]Srot much appears to be known about these birds, but Mr. Cleveland found two 

 nestSj containing young, in the Gurgaon District, of which an interesting account 

 is given in " Humes Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds,'^ 2nd Edition, edited by 

 Mr. Gates. 



H.E. BARNES, F.Z.S. 

 Ahmednagar, \st February, 1893. 



P.S. — With the exception of the length, Jerdon has omitted the dimensions in 

 his description of this bird, I therefore append them, as they may prove useful : — 



Length, 6"; expanse, lOS"; wing, 3-7"; tail, 2-2"; tarsus, OG"; bill at gape, 

 M5"; bill at front, 0-9". 



The colours of the soft parts are : bill, blackish, beneath whitish at base ; legs 



and feet plumbeous-black ; iris, dark brownish. 



H. E. B. 



No. YIIL— MOONLIGHT SHADOWS. 



The eflPect of mixed lights related below seems to deserve record. 



The shadows of Passion flower leaves, trained over a white wall, were observed 

 of a cinnamon colour, under a rising full moon. It required actual touch to con- 

 vince eye-witnesses that they were not dead leaves hanging against the wall. 



On the removal of a single candle, which had been throwing light upon the 

 light shadows, though not strong enough to cast a noticeable shadow itself, the 

 moon shadows resumed their natural black. This happened at Tanna a little 

 over 19" North Latitude. 



W. F. SINCLAIR, I. C. S. 

 72 



