THE BULBULS OF NORTH CACHAR 3 
In a few eggs the general tone is rather brighter, and in these there is also 
more of the ground-colour to be seen, but the typical egg is decidedly dull- 
coloured. 
Towards the large end the markings generally tend to form a cap or, less 
often, a zone. 
In shape they are typically a rather long regular oval; in a few eggs a little 
compressed towards the small end. Abnormal specimens tend towards the 
short broad oval or broad peg-top form. 
The shell is smooth and fairly close in texture, but none of my eggs exhibit 
any gless. 
In size they vary more than any other bulbuls’ eges that I know. I have 
them varying in length from ‘74” to 1:1” and in breadth from °58” to °71”. 
The average size of 19 eges is °91” X °66”, or rather more both ways. 
They are rather late breeders. June is the month in which most eggs will be 
taken, and nearly as many in July. My earliest and latest dates are the 23rd. 
May, 1890, and 22nd July, 1888, respectively. They, no doubt, lay well on into 
August, but I have never been in their principal breeding haunts during 
that month, 
I have only once or twice observed this bulbul as low as 2,000 feet, even in 
the cold weather, but it does sometimes descend into the Plains. 
‘They are most common between three thousand and four thousand feet, 
breeding chiefly at and above the latter height up to nearly 7,000 feet. I have 
not personally observed it in flocks; and from the little that has been recorded 
of its habits, it does not appear to be sociable during the cold weather as are 
most bulbuls. 
They keep much to the higher branches of tall trees, but do not hesitate to 
descend lower, even to scrubby bushes when these are rendered attractive by 
the plentitude of their berries. I have examined a good many birds, but have 
neyer discovered any remains of insects, and I believe they are almost entirely, 
if not quite, vegetable feeders. 
It has a very pleasant call, and its many other and diversified notes are all, 
more or less, agreeable, none that I have heard heing at all harsh in character. 
It has also a full sweet song, consisting { .ee bars, which it constantly 
repeats, but I have only heard this uttered during the breeding season. When 
singing, it erects its crest, the feathers of which, though short, are full. The 
lanceolate feathers of the chin and throat are often also puffed out, giving the 
bird the appearance of having a most disproportionately large head. 
Tt is not a shy bird, and I have frequently watched either a single bird or a 
pair within less than twenty yards. They have not been at all disturbed by my 
