280 SYLVimzE. 



panicle-stems of flowering grass, and then inside this the lining 

 of moderately fine grass mingled with feathers. The nests vary 

 a good deal in size, according to the thickness of the coarse outer 

 layer and the extent to which this straggles; but they seem 

 to be generally from 4 to 5 inches in diameter, and 2-5 in height, 

 whilst the cavity is about 2 inches in diameter, and 1, or a little 

 more than 1, in depth. 



The eggs (each nest contained four) are mi generis, moderately 

 broad regular ovals, with a decided but not brilliant gloss, and of a 

 nearly uniform chocolate-purple. The eggs of one nest are of a 

 a slightly deeper shade than those of another, probably in con- 

 sequence of one set being more incubated than the other. They 

 vary in length from 0-66 to 0-69, and from 0-49 to 0-52 in 

 breadth. 



I do not entertain the slightest doubt of these nests and eggs. 



Mr. Mandelli has sent me many more eggs of this species, mostly 

 deep chocolate-purple, but here and there an egg somewhat paler, 

 what might be called a pinkish chocolate. They vary from 061 to 

 0-70 in length, and from 0-48 to 0-53 in breadth ; but the average 

 of fifteen eggs is 0-67 by 0-51 nearly. 



450. Horornis pallidus (Brooks). The Pale Bush-Warbler. 

 Horeites pallidus, Brooks, Hume, Rough Draft N. ty E. no. 527 bis. 



The Pale Bush -Warbler breeds in Cashmere, according to 

 Mr. Brooks, during May. I know nothing either of the bird or 

 its nidification myself. I have never even closely examined a 

 specimen, and merely accept the species on Mr. Brooks's authority. 



He tells me that he found a nest on the 25th May at Kangan in 

 Cashmere. 



Mr. Brooks writes : — " The nest of Horornis pallidus, which I 

 found near Kangan in Cashmere, up the Sind Valley, was placed in 

 tangled brushwood, and about five feet above the ground. It was 

 on a slightly sloping bank, and close to the edge of a patch of jungle, 

 not far from the right bank of the river. 



" It was composed of coarse dry grass externally, with fine 

 roots and fibres towards the inside of the nest, and was profusely 

 lined with feathers. It was large for the bird, being 7 or 8 inches 

 in external diameter, of a globular form, with the entrance at the 

 side. I don't remember the size of the cavity of the nest, but its 

 walls were very thick. 



'' In external appearance it was rough and clumsy, and looked 

 more like a Sparrow's nest than that of a small Sylvine bird. The 

 entrance was about If inch in diameter, and was with the interior 

 of the nest neat and strong. Horornis pallidus occurs at from 

 5600 feet elevation up to 7000 and even 8000 feet. It was 

 abundant at Suki up the Bhagirutti Valley, and I heard of one even 

 at Gangootree." 



