214 MEGAL^MA FLAVIFRONS. 



Nidification. — This Bar bet has apparently two broods in the year, for the season of its breeding lasts from 

 February until September. It selects usually a soft-wood tree, such as the cotton {Bombax malabaricum) , 

 and cuts a round hole into the heart of the branch or trunk, in which it excavates a cavity for its eggs some 

 distance down from the entrance. The eggs are two or three in number, and are laid on the bare wood ; they 

 are pure white, rounded in form, with a smooth texture ; they average 1T1 by 081 inch. When the trunk 

 of a tree is chosen, several holes are sometimes commenced before a soft-enough place is found to excavate the 

 nest. 



The lower figure in the Plate accompanying the preceding article represents a fine specimen of this 

 bird from the Southern Province. 



