THE BIRDS OF NORTH CACHAR, 194 
Most of my nests were found actually on the ground and had become 
very damp and dilapidated even before being taken. Some few were 
in bushes or bamboo clumps, but never more than a foot or two from 
the ground. The eggs are, of course, pure white. 40 egos average 
62" & -46", whichis even smaller than Gammie’s clutch (lume : Nests 
and Eggs, vol. I, p. 112), which surprised Oates so much by their 
small size that he could hardly believe they belonged to the bird. My 
smallest egg is 59" % -44". They do not vary yery much in size or 
shape. 
(64) S. assmmitis——The Allied Babbler. 
Oates, No. 171 ; Hume, No. 394 Bis. . 
Nipirication.—Precisely the same as with S. chrsyea. They lay, 
as with that bird, from two to four eggs, three being the number most 
often found. Fourteen eggs average 61" x -47". They have the 
same glossy white surface with close hard texture as have the egos of 
the last species. 
(65) STACHYRIDOPSIS RUFICEPS.—The Red-headed Babbler, 
Oates, No, 172 ; Hume, No. 393. 
Fairly common everywhere, more especially to the north-west of 
these hills, where I get many nests yearly. I have one very handsome 
clutch of eggs of this species ; the ground is, of course, pearly white, as 
are all others, and the markings consist of largish, boldly-defined 
blotches of deep reddish-brow n, together with one or two of pale 
purplish, forming a well-marked ring near the big end. A clutch 
that contrasts very strongly with the last is one which is ver y feebly 
marked with pale pinkish and greyish-pink. This last type, only 
less feebly marked, is the one which is most common. Nearly all my 
eggs are broad ovals, very little smaller at one end than at the other. 
48 eggs average 63" X 52". They vary from 59" to -66” in length 
and from *49” to °54" in breadth. 
(66) S. RuFIFRoNS.—Hume’s Babbler. 
Oates, No. 173 ; Hume, No. 393 Bis. 
Drscriprion.—Differs from S. ruficeps in the following particulars : 
The chestnut of the head only extends to the back of the crown, where 
it merges into the olive-brown of the nape and back ; the lower parts 
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