22 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of 
Breeding-Notes.—I have only taken some four nests, and 
so, as regards the duration of the nesting-season, can only cite 
from 19th October to 30th November. 
These were all situated in swamps, built into the reeds at 
about a foot from the water, and invariably constructed of 
the dry blades of a certain kind of water-grass, the finer blades 
of the same forming the lining. The result 1s a compact, 
comfortable little nest, rather neater than what might be 
imagined from the above description. A fifth nest I dis- 
covered in a most extraordinary situation—namely, on the 
top of one of the roof-tree beams, inside a large open shed, 
and about fifteen feet from the ground. The building was 
within a hundred yards of a swamp; and it was nothing 
unusual to see a L. perspicillata mside of it; but had it not 
been that the nest contained eggs (about which there can 
never be a doubt), I should have refused to acknowledge the 
possibility of its belonging to this bird. 
None of the above-mentioned nests contained more than 
two eggs; but I fancy the full clutch must be larger. They 
average 33x24 or 23. In colour they vary greatly, some 
having the ground-colour nearly white, while in others it is 
suffused with a warm pinkish glow. The markings consist 
of a few spots, streaks, and blotches of black and reddish 
brown, generally congregated at the blunt end. 
26. Proene puRPUREA, Linn. 
It would be supererogatory on my part to write at any length 
on this and the following species when the subject has been 
so ably treated by Mr. Hudson (P. Z. 8. 1872, p. 605). Conse- 
quently I will confine myself to observing that it is abundant 
with us, coming in the first week in September, and leaving 
about the end of March. 
There were two entirely black specimens which used to 
appear annually at the head station; but I have not seen 
them for the last year or two. 
Breeding-Notes.—Immediately on their arrival they begin 
to examine their old nesting-sites ; but the eggs do not seem 
to be laid till much later, and I have taken fresh ones towards 
the end of November. 
