THE MAGPIE-ROBIN 13 



places its nest about two feet inside, near the first 

 joint ; but he adds that the bamboos selected are 

 generally to be found Ijong about the verandahs and 

 cucumber framings of the native houses. The truth 

 of the matter would seem to be that magpie-robins 

 select the very first cavity of the right size they come 

 across, and, as they affect human habitations, the 

 cavity used is almost invariably near some man's 

 dwelling. In Northern India the construction of the 

 dwellings of Indians is such that the walls afford con- 

 venient sites, so that these are generally utiMsed ; in 

 other parts of the country, where the walls do not 

 present so many holes, other cavities in trees, etc., are 

 selected. 



The eggs have a greenish-white background which 

 is usually largely obliterated by blotches of brownish 

 red. March, April, May, and June are the months in 

 which eggs are most hkely to be found ; April and May 

 for preference. 



