62 .OBATBROPODID-ae. 



with bamboo-leaves, and then within that thinly with black fibrous 

 roots ; the cavity measured 3 - 7 inches in diameter and 2 - 3 in depth. 

 The eggs of this species, of which I have now received many, 

 appear to be typically somewhat elongated ovals, and not unfre- 

 quently they are more or less pyriform or even cylindrical. As 

 a rule, they are fairly glossy, a bright pale, somewhat greenish 

 blue, quite spotless, and varying a little in. tint. In length they 

 appear to vary from I'll to 1*25, and in breadth from 082 

 to 091 ; but the average of eleven eggs is 1*2 by 0-87. 



93. Trochalopterum cachinnans (Jerd.). The Nilghiri 



Laughing -Thrush. 



Troclialopteron cachinnans (Jerd.), Jerd. B. Ind. ii, p. 48 : Hume, 

 Rough Draft N. # E. no. 423. 



The Nilghiri Laughing-Thrush breeds, according to my many 

 informants, throughout the more elevated portions of the moun- 

 tains from which it derives its trivial name, from February to the 

 beginniug of June. 



A nest of this species sent me by Mr. H. R. P. Carter, who 

 took it at Coonoor on April 22nd (when it contained two fresh 

 eggs), is externally a rather coarse clumsy structure, composed of 

 roots, dead leaves, small twigs, and a little lichen, about 5 inches 

 in diameter, and standing about 4| inches high. The egg-cavity 

 is, however, very regularly shaped, and neatly lined with very fine 

 grass-stems and a little fine tow-like vegetable fibre. It is a deep 

 cup, measuring 2\ inches across and fully 3| inches in depth. 



A nest taken by Miss Cockburn was a much more compact 

 structure, placed between four or five twigs. It was composed of 

 coarse grass, dead and skeleton leaves, a very little lichen, and a 

 quantity of moss. The egg-cavity was lined with very fine grass. 

 The nest was externally about 5J inches in diameter and nearly 6 

 inches in height, but the egg-cavity had a diameter of only about 

 2| inches and was only about 2J inches deep. 



It was Jerdon, I believe, who gave the name of Laughing- 

 Thrushes to this group, and this name is applicable enough to this 

 particular bird, the one with which he was most familiar, for it 

 does laugh — albeit, a most maniacal laugh ; but the majority of 

 the group have not the shadow of a giggle even in them, and 

 should have been designated " Screaming Squabblers." 



Mr. J. Darling, Jr., says : — " This bird breeds from February 

 to May. I have found the nests all over the Nilghiris, at eleva- 

 tions of from 4500 to 7500 feet above the sea. The nest is 

 placed indiscriminately in any bush or tree that happens to take 

 the bird's fancy, at heights of from 3 to 12 feet from the ground. 



" In shape it is circular, a deep cup, externally some 6 inches in 

 diameter and 5 or 6 inches in height, and with a cavity 3 to 4 inches 

 wide and often fully 4 inches in depth. The nest is composed of 

 moss and small twigs, at times of grass mingled with some spiders' 



