THE BIRDS OF NORTH CACHAR. 9 



the lower valleys, where three or four of these birds may often be seen 

 hawking for insects in company. 



(134) Dessemukus paradiseus. — The Larger Racket-tailed Drongo. 



Oates, No. 340; Hume, No. 285. 



Fairly common up to about 3,000 feet, above which height it is but 

 rarely met with. 



Family Certludce. 

 (135) Oeethia nepalehsis. — The Nepal Tree-creeper. 

 Oates, No. 343; Hume, No. 244. 



This, the only tree-creeper that I have met with in North Cachar, is 

 confined to the very highest peaks to the east of the district. 



A nest taken on the 16th May, 1890, was built inside a slip of bark 

 which had been partly stripped from a tree and was projecting out- 

 wards; it was on a rather large tree, and the nest was fully 25 feet from 

 the ground. Attention was first attracted by the birds whilst they 

 were building it ; every morning and evening they were seen to be 

 haunting a large tree quite close to my camp, and often pieces of moss, 

 etc., were noticed in their bills ; yet for two days I failed to find the 

 nest, so quick and active were the birds and so cautious about visiting 

 it whilst they were being watched. Before leaving the place a man 

 was sent up the tree to bring down the nest and eggs, of which latter 

 there were three. The nest was not in the least like that described by 

 Hume (" Nest and Eggs," Vol. I, p. 221) as belonging to Salpornis 

 spilonota. It consisted entirely of moss and was a mere rough pad 

 fitting in to the hollow where the bark met the bole of the tree. 



The eggs are white, and they are boldly, but not very thickly, spotted 

 with light reddish, the spots being most numerous towards the larger 

 end, at the extremity of which they form a fairly distinct ring. They 

 measure -59" X *45", -60" X "47", and '60" X -46", The texture is 

 fine and close but glossless, and the shell is strong for the size of the 



(136) Sphenocichla roberti.— Robert's Wedge-billed Wren. 

 Oates, No. 350 ; Hume, No. 383 Ter. 



Discovered by Mr. Robert on the Hemeo Peak in North Cachar, 

 I have never come across it. 



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