AETAMUS FITSCUS. 669 



Jerdon found the nest in a palmyra-tree ; and I am of opinion that this tree is probably resorted to, in 

 districts where it grows, more than any other. He describes the nest as cup-shaped aud deep, made of grass, 

 leaves, and numerous feathers. It contained two eggs, white, with a greenish tinge, and with light brown 

 spots, chiefly at the larger end. Mr. Gammic found a nest, however, in a hole in a dead tree near Darjiling, 

 about 40 feet from the ground ; it was made of coarse roots, devoid of lining. The eggs were three in number, 

 narrow ovals, pointed towards one end ; " the ground-colour was creamy white, and the markings almost 

 entirely confined to a broad ring round the large end, and the space within it consisted of spots and clouds of 

 very pale yellowish brown, intermingled with clouds aud specks of excessively pale, nearly washed-out lilac." 

 Dimensions 0-92 to 0-97 in length by 0'7 to 0'72 inch in breadth. 



Mr. Cripps, in his recent paper, writes of some nests taken in date-trees {Phcenix sylvestris) ; they were 

 built at the junction of the leaf-stem and trunk, though in two instances they were placed on a ledge from 

 which all the leaves had been removed to enable the tree to be tapped for its juice. In every instance the nest 

 was exposed, and if any bird, even a Hawk, came near, the courageous little fellows, says Mr. Cripps, would 

 drive it off. " The nests were shallow saucers, made of fine twigs and grasses, with a lining of the same, and 

 contained two to four eggs each." 



P A S S E R E S. 



Fam. STURNID^]. 



Bill straight or slightly curved ; very stout in some, moderate in others ; the tip notched, 

 the gape receding and angulated in most genera ; the base of the bill feathered down to the nostril 

 on each side of the culmen * ; gape smooth. Wings with the 1st quill less than or equal to the 

 primary-coverts ; the 2nd and 3rd the longest. Tail of 12 feathers, shorter than the wing. 

 Legs and feet stout. Tarsus shielded with broad, stout, transverse scutes ; lateral toes subequal ; 

 hind toe and claw large. 



* Saraglossa, Hodgsou, appears to be an exception as regards Asiatic genera, the base of the bill not dividing the 

 frontal plumes. . 



