HTPSIPETES GANEESA. 471 



Nidification. — In the western parts of the island this species breeds from January till March, building its 

 nest on a horizontal bough or in the fork of a lateral branch at a considerable height from the ground. It is 

 a compact, though rather untidy-looking structure, made of dead leaves, roots, and moss, and lined with fibres 

 and " bents." The eggs are normally two in number, of the usual ovate shape characteristic of Bulbuls ; 

 ground-colour white, spotted and speckled with reddish brown, somewhat confluent at the obtuse end. Axis 

 1-0 to 1-05, diameter 0-72 to 0-73 inch. 



In India it breeds, according to the experience of several observers, from March until June, laying two 

 eggs. Mr. Davison writes, " The nest is generally placed from 12 to 20 feet from the gi'ound, in some dense 

 clump of leaves ; favourite sites are the branches of parasitic plants with which nearly every acacia, and, in 

 fact, nearly every other tree about Ootacamund, is covered. The nest is composed exteriorly of moss, dry 

 leaves, and roots, lined with roots and fibres." Mr. Wait writes of its nest, as made at Coonoor, that it is neatly 

 and firmly made, composed chiefly outside of green moss, grass-stalks, and fibres ; while inside it is lined with 

 fine stalks and hairs ; the cavity is from 2| to 3 inches in diameter, and about half that depth. The ground- 

 colour of the eggs, says Mr. Hume, varies from white to delicate pink. The markings consist of different 

 shades of deep red and pale washed-out purple, which in some eggs are bold, large, and blotchy, and in others 

 minute and speckly, and in both forms there is a tendency to form an irregular zone round the large end ; 

 the shell has commonly little or no gloss, and is very fragile. The eggs vary from l'O to T17 inch in length 

 by 0-7 to 0-8 in breadth. 



Genus CRINIGEK. 



Bill stout, much shorter than in Hypsipetes, moderately curved, the tip notched. Nostrils 

 linear, protected by fine bristles ; rictal bristles moderate. Wings with the 4th and 5th quills 

 equal and longest. Tail rather long, broad, wider at the tip than at the base. Legs and feet 

 small. Tarsus about equal to the middle toe and claw. 



Nuchal hairs more numerous than in the last genus. 



