Capt. R. C. Beavan on voriuus Indian Birds. 417 



first nest was brought to mc on the 26th March, with only two 

 eggs, the usual number being three. The nest is very pecu- 

 liar — a pocket-like structure suspended from a small bough 

 which forms the roof, the entrance being from one side near the 

 top. It is composed entirely of spiders^ web and other silks, 

 with which a pinkish-brown fluff (probably from some tree in 

 flower) is felted together, making the nest look entirely of that 

 colour. There is no lining ; only the material employed is denser 

 at the bottom than at the top of the nest. The great pecu- 

 liarity is that the nest is as if woven in one piece, and, like a 

 bit of cloth, can be shaken or compressed without doing it any 

 injury. The length is 3 inches ; breadth 2 inches ; entrance- 

 hole 1*5 inch long, by '87 inch broad. The eggs are moderately 

 elongated, of a light pink ground-colour, blotched indistinctly 

 with pink spots, more frequent and massed at the obtuse end. 

 They are large for the size of the bird, their length being '62 

 inch, and their breadth a little over '37 inch. 



The dimensions of a female caught on the nest are — whole 

 length 3 "87 inches j tail 1-15 inch; wing 2*25 inches; tarsus 

 barely "5 inch ; expanse 6"5 inches. Bill bluish lead-colour ; 

 lips a little darker. I am inclined to think that this species feeds 

 occasionally on the ripe fruit of the banyan and other Fici. 



246. ? Salpornis spilonota. Spotted Grey Creeper. 



Although I have hunted long for this species in Maunbhoom, 

 I have never yet seen anything like it except on one occasion ; 

 and then I may have been mistaken, as I could not secure the 

 specimen. 



248. SiTTA HiMALAYENSis. Whitc-tailcd Nuthatch. 

 Darjeeling collection, 1862. 



254. Upupa epops. European Hoopoe. 



" Doobchirka" in Maunbhoom, where it is rarely seen, and 

 then in pairs. Dimensions of a specimen killed at Budhpore, 

 March 18th, 1865 :— From tip of the bill to end of the tail 11 

 inches ; from top of crest to end of tail 12 inches ; wing 6 

 inches; tail 4 inches. Bill at front 2'15 inches; taisus "87 



