AND TYPES OF EGGS. 21 



are very difficult to find. They are small, neatly made^ placed high up, 

 and the outside is assimilated in appearance to the bark of the tree 

 they are on. The eggs are boldly streaked and very handsome. 



MinivetS, (Pericrocotus). — Are almost always found in forests 

 or well-wooded districts. They are gregarious during the cold weather,' 

 and some of them are migratory, but all the kinds that occur in India 

 breed in this country. The nest is beautifully built, almost like a 

 tumbler, with perpendicular sides, and placed on a horizontal branch 

 high up. They are very difficult to find. The eggs are well spotted. 



DrongO shrikes, (Dicmms, Buclanga, Chaptia, Bhringa, 

 Edolius, Dissemurus, Chibia). — Are almost entirely confined to forest 

 tracts, with the exception of the common drongo shrike or " king 

 crow" (S. albirictus) , which is found every where. They are not migra- 

 tory, though some of the hills species ascend to higher elevations as 

 the weather gets warmer ; and the white-bellied king crow (D. cceru- 

 lescens) seem to disappear from the plains in the breeding season, but 

 of its habits very little is known. They all make a loose basket work 

 saucer-shaped nest of roots wedged into a horizontal fork at the end of 

 a bough often at a considerable height from the ground. The common 

 king crow [D. albirictus) sometimes lays pure white eggs, but the 

 typical colour in this family is white, with a few claret or brown 

 spots. 



Swallow shrikes, (Artamus).— Are very local and little is 

 known of their habits. They are generally found in clearings in forests, 

 and are probably permanent residents. 



Flycatchers, (TcUtria, Myiagra, Leucocerca, Chelidorhynx, 

 Cryptolopha, Hemichelidon, Alseonax, Ochromela, Eumyias, 

 Cyornis, Muscicapula, Nitidula, Niltava, Anthipes, Siphia, Ery- 

 throsterna) . — The habits of this group show many variations. As a 

 rule, flycatchers are to be found in forests and retired glens ; but they also 

 sometimes frequent gardens and orchards. Probably, all the Indian species 

 breed within the limits of this country. The only doubtful ones being the 

 robin flycatchers {Ery thro sterna). Most of the flycatchers migrate 

 to the plains in greater or less numbers during the cold weather. Out 

 in the open plains the white-browed fan-tail (2/. aureola) is the only 

 widely distributed permanent resident. The paradise flycatcher 

 (Z*. paradisii), the black-naped azure flycatcher {M. azurea), and 

 the white-throated fan-tail (L. fuscoventris) breed in some of the moister 



