1848.] Notes on the Nidification of Indian Birds. 9 



on a projecting brick. Can this difference betoken a distinction in 

 species ? I am inclined to believe it — for why in the plains should a 

 nest be constructed among the open branches of trees,* — while in the 

 mountains it is constructed within their hollow trunks ? If distinct, 

 it will, I imagine, bear Mr. Hodgson's ill- constructed name of " A. 

 tristoides."f 



No. 11. — " Corvus culminates" Sykes„ 

 \C. orientalis, Eversmann]. 



Occurs at Mussooree throughout the year, and is very destructive 

 to young fowls and pigeons ; it breeds in May and June, and selects a 

 tall tree, near a house or village, on which to build its nest, which is 

 composed externally of dried sticks and twigs, and lined with grass and 

 hair, which latter material it will pick from the backs of horses and 

 cows, — or from skins of animals laid out to dry. I have had skins of 

 the Surrdw (Ncemorhcedus thar) nearly destroyed from their depreda- 

 tions. The eggs are 3 or 4 in number and of a dull green, thickly spot- 

 ted over with long and sometimes confluent spots and dashes of dusky 

 brown or blackish. Diameter 1 T 9 ^ X 1 inch. 



No. 12 .-— " Saroglossa spiloptera," Hodgson. 

 Lamprotomis spilopterus, Vigors. 



This species arrives in the hills about the middle of April, in small 

 parties of 5 or 6, but it does not appear to ascend above 5,500 to 6,000 

 feet, and is therefore more properly an inhabitant of the warm valleys. 

 I do not remember seeing it at Mussooree, which is 6,500 to 7,000 

 feet, — although at 5,200 feet on the same range, it is abundant during 

 summer. Its note and flight are very much those of the Starling 

 (Sturnus vulgaris), and it delights to take a short and rapid flight and 

 return twittering to perch on the very summit of the forest trees ; I 

 have never seen it on the ground, and its food appears to consist of berries. 

 Like our two species of Acridotheres, it nidificates in the holes of trees, 

 lining the cavity with bits of leaves, cut by itself ; the eggs are usually 

 3, or sometimes 4 or 5, of a delicate pale sea green, speckled with 



* Has Captain Tickell recorded this on his own personal knowledge,— or from informa- 

 tion furnished by the natives? If the latter, I suspect Captain T. has been deceived. 



t Mr. Hodgson's specimens marked tristoides are specifically undistinguishable from 

 those of the plains. In those from Ceylon the general colouring is invariably deeper, but 

 there is no other difference.— E. B. 



