vSjl 



lensis most abounds. During the last eight years many hundred specimens of this latter species, 

 of both sexes, of all ages, and killed at all seasons of the year, have passed through Mr. Mandelli's 

 hands ; yet he has never seen a specimen of JE. liorsfieldi." 



The characters which separate these two forms, although slight, are constant ; and as they 

 are restricted to distinctly different districts, they should, I consider, be looked upon as belonging 

 to two species, and not as mere races of the same form. 



Of the breeding of j3$. nipalensis Mr. Hume gives us a good account (Nests & Eggs Ind. B. 

 p. 147) taken from Mr. Hodgson's notes and drawings: — "This species," he writes, "begins to 

 lay in April, and builds a comparatively large, oval, hanging nest (composed of moss and wool, 

 and lined throughout with silky down), which is attached by some leafy twigs at an elevation of 

 from 3 to 5 feet from the ground. These birds, it is said, breed only in Nepal, in the central 

 hill regions, frequenting groves and open forests, in which also their nests are always found. The 

 nest is egg-shaped, 7'75 inches in length by 4 in breadth ; and a little above the middle is an oval 

 aperture about T62 by 1 inch. There is no portico or projection above this; and whereas in the 

 nest of 2E. miles dark-coloured hair-like roots seem to constitute the chief components of the 

 nest, in the present species green moss and white wool fibres seem to predominate." 



They lay two to three eggs, which are figured as moderately broad ovals, 0-68 by 043 inch. 

 The eggs are represented as nearly white, with a certain amount of reddish mottling towards the 

 larger end. They have only one brood in the year ; and both birds participate in rearing the 

 young, which are ready to fly in July. 



Dr. Jerdon writes, " I obtained a nest of this bird, very neatly though loosely made of moss, 

 domed at the top, with the entrance at the side, overhung by a sort of projecting roof; it con- 

 tained two eggs of a dusky greenish tinge, with numerous small dusky spots." 



The descriptions and figures of the adult male and female are taken from specimens collected 

 at Darjeeling, in my own collection. 



