1308 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXI. 



not return to the spot. Determining to watch the place, however^ I 

 returned there next flay and was gratified on arrival to see the flash of two 

 white rumps as a pair ©f Bullfinches startled from the ground simultaneously 

 disappeared into a thick tree. A few moments and they were back again, 

 and to my delight the female picked up a twig and flew behind the trunks 

 of some silver firs. Shifting my position, so as to watch the direction of 

 her flight, I saw her return, pick up another twig, and dive with it into a 

 low, tangled, and drooping branch of a medium sized silver fir. For some 

 time I watched through glasses the process of building. Twigs were the 

 only material used during my vigil. It was interesting to watch the 

 manoeuvres to get an extra long one into position. This would be first 

 pushed into the branch by one end while she, going round to the nest side, 

 wonld from there pull it through and deftly weave it into place. Not 



The cross marks site of nest of Orang-e Bullfinch (P. Auran- 

 tiaca) — nest aboiit ('> feet from gTound. 

 daring to go nearer for fear of disturbing the pair I left the spot quietly, 

 deciding to return a week later when I hoped the full cliTtch would be laid. 

 On the 4th of August, accompanied by Colonel K, Buchanan, I 

 revisited the spot. We found the female on the nest and sitting very 

 close. Three people walking about immediately below did not disturb her 

 and it was not till I almost had my hand on her that she flew ofl". Mj^ 

 astonishment was considerable therefore on examining the nest to find 

 only one egg and that fresh ! The situation Avas puzzling but on Buchanan's 

 advice the nest was left till the 8th August. On arrival at the 

 nest on this date the female was not " on "' but appeared a moment or two 

 later with the male and at once flew to the nest. She sat for half an hour 

 or more when the male, returning, called her oft'. JBeing satisfied that she 

 was sitting in earnest this time I took the nest and the 3 eggs which it 



