IOEA TIPHIA. 493 



Nidification. — 1 have found the nest of the Bush-creeper in the north of Ceylon in July ; but, if different 

 districts be considered, I believe it breeds all the year round, as males may be found in the black plumage 

 at all seasons. It builds at about 15 or 20 feet from the ground, attaching its beautiful nest to the npperside 

 of a small horizontal bough, generally near a fork, but sometimes, according to Mr. Hume, between one or 

 two upright twigs. It is a symmetrical, rather deep cup, with thin, steep, and compact walls, and is usually 

 made of cotton woven in with fine grass or very slender tendrils of plants, the bottom being attached to the 

 bark by cobwebs, which also adorn the neatly finished top ; the interior is roomy and the bottom rather flat, 

 the cavity measuring about 2 inches across. I have found several nests, but only one with eggs : the number 

 was two ; they were broad, stumpy ovals, of dirty white or whitish-grey ground-colour, openly blotched with 

 large longitudinal faded brownish spots. My eggs got broken in travelling, and I therefore lack measurements ; 

 but Mr. Hume gives the average size as 069 by 0*54 inch ; and the same author, in his ' Nests and Eggs/ 

 says that the eggs are at times pink or salmon-colour, with reddish-brown blotches, which are chiefly confined 

 to the large end, forming there an imperfect zone. 



PASSERES. 



Fam. TIMALI1D.E. 



Bill curved, compressed, higher at the base than wide. Nostrils placed in a membrane 

 bordered by setaceous feathers. Wings short and rounded. Tail moderately lengthened. Legs 

 and feet strong, with the tarsus longer than the middle toe and scutellate in front ; the hind toe 

 and claw large. 



Plumage often lax, and in many silky beneath. Insectivorous in diet. 



Subfam. TIMALIIN^E. 



Wings rounded, with the 1st quill moderately developed, the secondaries long. Tail of 12 

 feathers, usually lengthened and graduated. Legs and feet stout and large. Toes stoutly scaled, 

 the outer and the middle slightly syndactyle. 



Plumage mostly lax. Of gregarious and very active habit. 



Genus MALACOCEECUS. 

 Bill moderately long, compressed, the base higher than wide ; culmen well curved ; rictal 

 bristles scanty. Wings short, rounded, the 1st quill half the length of the oth, which is the 

 longest ; secondaries almost equal to the longest primaries. Tail graduated, rounded at the tip. 

 Legs and feet strong. The tarsus covered with broad smooth scutse, becoming obsolete with age. 

 Toes stoutly scaled. 



