484 PYCNONOTUS HJEMOEEHOIJS. 



however, to have more than one brood in the year, the second being reared as late as August or September. 

 Its nest is a loosely-made cup-shaped structure of fine twigs, grass, and bents, with a scanty lining of grass or 

 vegetable fibre, fixed in the fork of a branch in low bushes a few feet from the ground. It frequently chooses 

 a small lime-tree close to a dwelling, and will sometimes, as above-mentioned, build in the verandahs of houses. 

 In a rest-house on the Trincomalie and Batticaloa road, I once found a nest placed between the tiles and a 

 rafter over the entrance to the apartment, the pretty little owner taking no notice whatever of the passers-by, 

 and, as we stood admiring her, scanned us from her little habitation with an amount of fearless curiosity that 

 was charming to behold. The eggs are three or four in number, and vary somewhat in shape, the usual 

 form being a pointed oval. The ground is reddish white, blotched and speckled all over, but most thickly at 

 the large end, where there is often a cap or zone of colour, with reddish brown of two shades over a few bluish- 

 grey spots, some eggs having much more of the latter tint than others. They measure from 084 to 087 inch 

 in length by0"64 to 0'66in breadth. 



In India the breeding-season lasts in the plains from April until August, but in the Nilghiris it breeds 

 as early as April. Its nest is much the same as in Ceylon ; but the late Mr. A. Anderson speaks of one 

 which was " entirely composed of green twigs of the Neern-tree on which it was built, and the under surface 

 was felted with fresh blossoms belonging to the same tree." Mr. Hume gives the average of sixty eggs as 

 OSOinch in length by 065 inch in breadth. 



PASSERES. 



BRACHYPODILLE. 



Subfam. PHYLLORNITHIN^. 



Bill longer than in the last subfamily, curved in some genera throughout ; rictal bristles 

 minute. Tail rather short. Legs and feet robust. 



Body-plumage lengthened and fluffy. Nuchal hairs absent. Tongue in some bifid. 



Genus PHYLLOENIS. 

 Bill long, gently curved, wide at the base, much compressed towards the tip ; gonys-angle 

 imperceptible ; rictal bristles minute. Wings moderately long and pointed ; the 4th quill the 

 longest; the 1st about half the length of the 4th. Tail moderate, even at the tip. Legs and 

 feet stout. Tarsus short, covered in front with a single scale. Toes short. 



