Birds of Lucknow. 533 
No. 377. LusciNioLA melanopogon. Moustached Sedge- 
Warbler. 
I have never actually shot and handled this species^ so 
will quote Reid's remarks : — 
''^The Moustached Sedge-Warbler is fairly common in 
all suitable localities^ but only, I think, during the cold 
weather. In the low-lying grass-covered lands here and 
there on the banks of Goomti, in the grass and tamarisk- 
jungle or the semi-swamps about Byramghat, and in similar 
localities on the Khadir lands of the Oudh bank o£ tlie 
Ganges, it is not uncommon ; while a few may sometimes 
be found in rushy swamps and nooks on such rivers as the 
Goomti and Sail. From its skulking habits, it is difficult 
to get a fair shot at it, unless at very close quarters, when it 
generally gets mangled almost beyond recognition.''^ 
No. 381. CisTicoLA cuRsiTANS. Rufous FautuU- War bier. 
Phutki [H.]. Tic-tic [Anglo-Indian boys]. 
The Rufous Fantail- Warbler is very common in suitable 
localities, that is, where there is heavy grass-jungle. On 
the Cantonment Grass Farm it is particularly abundant, 
and there I have, on many occasions, found its nest. It 
breeds, I fancy, twice in the year, once in March or early 
April and again in the rains. The nest, a most delicate 
little cup, made of white vegetable fibre, down, and hair, 
is fastened to three or four stems of grass which fall over 
and partially hide it, making it by no means easy to discover. 
The eggs are three, four, or five, white or bluish- white, with 
red spots and speckles. 
The following dates occur, amongst others, in my diary : — 
Mar. 30. Nest and 5 eggs (hard-set). 
„ 4 eggs (fresh). 
4 
„ 4 eggs (deserted). 
„ 3 eggs (fresh). 
„ 1 egg (deserted). 
Average measurement of 4 Lucknow eggs .... •62"X'45" 
2n2 
April 
7. 
June 
25. 
)7 
25. 
July 
14. 
;> 
26. 
» 
26. 
