THE BIRDS OF NORTH CAGHAR. 9 



(360) Araohneothra hassebti.— Van Hassebt's Sun-bird. 



Hume, No. 233 Bis. i Oates^ No. 896. 



This is an extremely rare bird, and I have only seen two in a state 

 of nature, both of which were in the Jetinga valley close to the plains. 

 One bird, shot at Roopacherra Hailakandi, is now in the collection of 

 Mr. Hole, and Mr. Inglis, Larsingha (close to Silchar), has another 

 in his possession, which was, I believe, shot somewhere near the 

 estate. 



Sub-Family Arachnotherince. 



(361) Aeachnothera magna. — The Larger Streaked Spider-hunter. 



Hume, No. 223 ; Oates, No. 906. 



Very common in North Cachar from the level of the plains to the 

 top of the highest peaks, breeding principally above 2,000 feet. 

 Gammie's description (" Nests and Eggs," Vol. 11, p. 288) is very good 

 as far as it goes, but the nests vary so much, as do the eggs, that I add 

 the following notes which I have collected on the subject. The 

 majority, I think, of the nests I have found have been oval in shape 

 and not the neat cups mentioned by Gammie ; moreover, they have 

 generally been a good deal larger, though equally neat and well built. 

 The following measurements of nests have been taken either in situ or 

 so soon after removal that the nests have not had time to get out of 

 shape : — 



1. Oval-shaped nest attached toi plantain leaf, some 12 feet 



from the ground. Larger diameter of oval 9"; horter 

 5' 5'' ; walls about 1*5" thick ; entrance nearly 2" in 

 diameter. 



2. Nest of same shape as No. 1 attached to the under surface of 



a ground plant about 3f feet from the ground. Larger 

 diameter 10*5" ; shorter 7*2" ; breadth of walls about 2"; 

 entrance over 2" in diameter. 



3. Same shaped nest attached to ground plant about 2 feet 



from the ground. Greater diameter 6'6"; shorter 4°8"; 

 walls 1" thick j entrance about 1*5". 

 Other nests I have taken have generally measured somewhere be- 

 tween Nos, 2 and 3, No. 1 being exceptionally large^ and No. 3 rather 



