THE BIRDS OF NORTH CACHAR. 15 



It is also a curious fact that the plain- coloured eggs average much 

 larger than the others. Thus fifty plain blue eggs average '65" X "44" ; 

 12 white average '63"X"43" and 200 spotted eggs average '59"X'^1". 

 They breed practically all the year round, but I have never taken a 

 nest either in December or January. On the 14th February, 1892, 

 I was given a nest containing four eggs almost ready to hatch, and 

 during the middle of November, 1891, I came across a nest containing 

 a single fresh egg. 



(151) F. eufescens. — Beavan's Wren-Warbler. 

 Oates, No. 383 ; Hume, Nos. 535 Bis, 536 Bis, 538 Bis. 

 Very common indeed up to about 3,500 feet, not, 1 think, ascending 

 much above that. 



The nest is undistinguishable from that of the last bird and the 

 eggs also are much the same, but I have never taken any resembling 

 either of the two commonest types of F. gracilis — that is to say, either 

 white or blue with innumerable freckles of reddish all over. The 

 markings in this bird's egg are also less numerous, and in nine cases 

 out of ten form a distinct ring towards the larger end. I have rarely 

 taken unspotted blue eggs and only once a clutch of pure white ones. 

 (152) F. cinereicapilla. — Hodgson's Wren- Warbler. 

 Oates, No. 385 ; Hume, No. 537. 



Very rare indeed. I have taken five nests which were quite undis- 

 tinguishable from those of F. gracilis and the eggs were all a pure 

 skim-milk blue, rather lighter in shade than those of F. gracilis and 

 also less glossy. In shape they are rather broad, regular ovals, one or 

 two being rather lengthened. My last specimen was taken in July 

 1890, and since then I have seen no others. Ten eggs average 

 •59"X'42". 



(153) Graminicola bengalensis. — The Large Grass- Warbler. 

 Oates, No. 388 ; Hume, No. 542. 

 Recorded from Cachar, but I have not yet obtained a specimen. 



(154) Megalurus palustris. — The Striated Marsh- Warbler. 

 Oates, No. 389 ; Hume, No. 440. 

 Not uncommon in the grass lands running along the foot of the 

 hills. 



