MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 1327 



No. X.— ABNORMAL TYPE (?) OF EGGS OF THE LITTLE 

 FORKTAIL {MICROCICHLA SCOULERI, Vigors). 



On the 12th May last, I found a nest of this species placed in the niche 

 of a rock by the side of a large waterfall in the neighbourhood of Simla. 

 The position of the nest was betrayed by one of the birds, which hurriedly 

 left the spot ou my approach. On examining the nest I found that it 

 was practically completed, and was ready for the birds to lay in. Allowing 

 a few days to elapse 1 sent one of my hunters to bring away the eggs, if 

 any, and also the nest. He carried out my instructions, but, on examining 

 the eggs, which were quite fresh and three in number, I was much 

 astonished to find that they were puTe spotless white. I immediately 

 questioned my man as to the identity of the bird, which he knows ivell. He 

 firmly maintained that the eggs in question belonged to this Forktail, that 

 he had distinctly seen it leave the nest on his approach, and that when he 

 removed the eggs they were quite warm. I have no reason whatever to 

 doubt the man's statements, for I have always found him truthful, and in 

 this instance there was no particular reason for him to deceive me ; but 

 nevertheless I still feel rather disturbed about the colouration of these 

 eggs. Had I for a moment foreseen this contingency, I should of course 

 have spared no pains to put the identity of the bird beyond doubt. As 

 things stand now, tliere is doubt but doubt which can be dispelled by the 

 experiences of other Ornithologists. 



I should like to know whether this Forktail, like some other birds, for 

 example,. Z>icr«<;-?/.s a to', lays eggs of two different types: one, pale dingy 

 pink, spotted and speckled with reddish brown^ and the other pure 

 spotless white ? 



The eggs from this nest are, as already stated, pure spotless white, and 

 they have a distinct gloss. In shape they are somewhat elongated ovals, 

 slightly pointed towards the small end. Their measurements compare as 

 follows with those of the normal type : — 



Abnormal type (f) of eggs. Normal type of eggs. 



(1) 'SI" X "58" Average measurements of 11 eggs 



(2) -82" X -58" ^ -79" x -57" 



(3) -85" X -6" 



I may add that there is no doubt whatever about the nest. It was of 

 the usual Forktail type — a small cup, composed externally of moss, and 

 lined with a little dry grass, and a few dead and skeleton leaves. 



Since the publication of my notes about this species at pages 257 — 261 of 

 Vol. XXI of the Journal, I have found the following nests in addition to 

 the one mentioned above : — 



{i) Keonthal State, 1st May : elevation 5,000 feet ; nest with three young, 

 just hatched. 



