28 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of 
Breeding-Notes.—I have taken eggs from the 19th of Oc- 
tober to the same date in December. 
The nest is very like that of the Chaffinch, though never 
quite so compact or neat. It is built of lichens, which are 
held together with a few horsehairs, and lined with small soft 
feathers. There is some skill displayed in the concealment 
of it, though generally situated on some isolated tala tree at 
about ten feet from the ground, or on the outskirts of the 
wood. 
The eggs never exceed four; but three is the more general 
number. They are rather pretty, having a yellowish ground, 
with brown and grey spots and blotches, generally forming a 
zone round the centre of the egg. The average measurement 
is 35x 26. 
31. ZoNoTRIcHIA PILEATA (Sparrow). 
As abundant and as impudent as its European congener, 
it is not, however, quite so gregarious in its habits. 
I must confine myself merely to some remarks on its breed- 
ing-habits, as, from its being so common, I have always post- 
poned and neglected any other notes, and consequently have 
now no data to work upon. One incident only remains upon 
my memory—namely, the attack of animmense brown moth 
(Erebia odora), some seven inches across the wings, upon 
one of these birds. It occurred in the daytime ; so the moth 
may have mistaken the bird for one of its own species ; 
but at any rate, there it was, buffeting the Sparrow vigo- 
rously with its wings, while the latter kept hopping back, 
evidently divided between fear of such a bold and big as- 
sailant and contempt of the puny blows of which it was the 
recipient. I went for the moth with a butterfly-net at 
last, and ended the contest. 
Breeding-Notes.—Z. pileata has two broods in the season, 
the first dating from 24th September, and the second from 
lst November to end of January. 
The usual material for the nest is dry grass, with a lining 
of horsehair ; and it is generally placed on the ground, among 
the grass or under a fallen branch or thistle-leaf. Other sites 
