278 SYLYinm 



lined with feathers. Externally it measures about 6 inches in 

 depth by 4 in width. The egg-cavity, from lower edge of entrance, 

 is 2\ inches deep by If wide. The entrance is 2 inches across. 

 The usual number of eggs is three." 



The eggs sent by Mr. Gammie are very regular, rather broad, 

 oval eggs, with a decided but not very strong gloss. In colour they 

 are a uniform deep chocolate-purple. In length they vary from 

 0-63 to 0-69, and in breadth from 0-49 to 0-52.* 



* I cannot identify the following bird, which appears in the ' Rough Draft ' 

 under the number 552 bis. I reproduce the note together with some additional 

 matter furnished later on by Mr. Gammie. Neornis assimilis is nothing but 

 Horornis fortipes ; but I cannot reconcile Mr. Gammie's account of the nest 

 with that of H. fortipes, inasmuch as nothing is said about a lining of 

 feathers, which appears to be an unfailing characteristic of the nest of H. for- 

 tipes. — Ed. 



No. 552 bis. — Neornis assimilts, Hodgs. 



Mr. Gammie sent me a bird unmistakably of this species — Blyth's Aberrant 

 Tree-Warbler — together with the lining of a nest and three eggs. 



He says : — "The nest, eggs, and bird were brought to me on the 18th May by 

 a native, who said the nest was placed in a shrub, about 6 feet from the 

 ground, in a place filled with scrub near Rishap, at about 3500 feet above the 

 sea. I noted at the time the man's account, but as I did not take the nest 

 myself, I kept no account of it. All I know about it is written on the ticket 

 attached to the nest sent to you. The bird was snared on the nest. Though 

 I did not take it myself, I have little doubt that it is quite correct." 



The lining of the nest is a little, soft, shallow saucer 2J inches in diameter, 

 composed of the finest and softest' brown roots. 



The eggs are somewhat of the same type as those of N. flavolivaceus, but in 

 colour more resembling those of some of the ten-tail-feathered Prinias. They 

 are very short broad oials, pulled out and pointed towards one end, approxi- 

 mating to the peg-top type. They are very glossy and of a uniform Indian 

 ■red; duller coloured rather than those of the Prinias; not so deep or purple 

 as those of N. flavolivaceus. 



They measui ed 0'65 by 0'52. 



Prom Sikhim Mr. Gammie writes further : — " This bird, I find, does not 

 build in bushes, but on the ground, or rather on low leaf or weed heaps. It 

 not unfrequently takes advantage of the small weed heaps collected round the 

 edges of native cultivations. On the tops of these heaps it collects a lot of dry 

 leaves, and places its nest among them. It sits exceedingly close, only rising 

 when almost stepped on. 



" The nest is a rather deep cup, neatly made of dry grass and a few leaves, 

 and lined with fine roots, and the bare twigs of fine grass-panicleB. It measures 

 externally about 32 inches in diameter by 2'8 in depth ; internally 2 inches 

 by 1-75. 



" The eggB are three or four in number, and are laid in May from low eleva- 

 tions up to about 3500 feet." 



The eggs, of this species, of which Mr. Gammie has now sent me two nests, 

 are of the regular Prinia type— typically broad ovals, approximating to the 

 peg-top type, but sometimes more elongated and pointed towards the small end. 

 They are very glossy and of a uuiform dull Indian red, deeper coloured than 

 any Prinids that I have seen. 



They vary from 065 to 069 in length, and from 0'48 to 0-52 in breadth. 



