12 
being built. Тһе nest is always іп the fork of a tree or shrub, varying in height from 3 to 20 feet 
from the ground. І found several in coffee-bushes, one on a tree-fern, others on rhododendron-trees, 
and one on the Australian acacia. In shape it is hemispherical and open at the top. There is 
always a foundation of mud, and a superstructure of thin twigs or coarse fibres, and it is lined 
generally with fine fibres, but sometimes has scarcely any lining. 
«<I have found from one to three eggs. In the case of the single egg, the young bird was 
well developed, and as it was in a tree 20 feet from the ground, it is not likely that any 
eggs had been taken out. Ав I found six nests, each containing three eggs, I think that 
this must be the usual number; at the same time I have been told that a greater number are 
sometimes laid. 
“< This Blackbird builds its nest in a remarkably short time. Ор one occasion I saw а nest 
completed in four days. It is just possible that there may have been a portion of a day's work done 
before I saw it; but even five days is a very short time for so small a bird to complete a nest which 
must weigh at least 24 lbs.’” 
Mr. Hume adds :—* The nests of this species, of which I owe a magnificent series to my friend 
Mr. Carter, are always, apparently, very massive structures, containing an inner skeleton of mud, 
completely hidden from sight by an exterior coating of moss or lichen, or fine or coarse grass-roots, 
and an interior lining of fine grass-roots. The bird appears to lay a light foundation of dead leaves, 
lichen, or fern, and on this to build a more or less deep cup on the wattle-and-dab principle—a few 
coarse grass-roots twisted together as a skeleton, and then thickly plastered with mud or wet mould. 
The cup thus made is often about 44 inches in diameter and 24 deep. 
externally, to the thickness of one or two inches with whatever materials are nearest at hand, grass 
or other roots, dry slender ferns, soft green moss, or masses of tree-lichen. The interior of the cup 
is first lined with rather coarse roots, and then finished off with fine ones. No particle of the clay 
skeleton is visible in the finished nest, which may average about 7 inches in diameter externally, 
stands about 4 inches high, and has an egg-cavity some 31 inches in diameter by 2 inches deep. 
In all the nine nests now before me the inner earthen framework is present, but in some it extends 
scarcely more than 4 inch up the sides of the nest, while in others it comes up to within + inch 
of the upper margin. Owing to the different materials used in different localities for the external 
coating of the nest, these vary much in appearance; but some of them, entirely coated with moss 
or lichen, are amongst the most beautiful structures that I know. Тһе type of the architecture of 
the nest, as will be observed, is the same as that of the European Blackbird. 
“ Dr. Jerdon tells us that he has ‘frequently found the nest, made of roots and moss, usually with 
four eggs, pale blue with dusky brown spots.’ 
“Mr. W. Davison remarks :— With the exception of Pratincola bicolor, the nest of this species 
is the commonest at Ootacamund and its immediate vicinity. During April and the earlier part of 
May every thick shrub is sure to contain a nest, placed in a fork, generally about 12 or 14 feet from 
the ground. It is a large and very solid structure, composed internally of bits of stick, dead leaves, 
roots, and moss, within which is a tolerably thick stratum of clay, and within this again fine grass and 
moss-roots. I think I must have taken a hundred nests in my time. The eggs are normally four, 
sometimes five, in number, and very variable both as regards colour and form, but the ground-colour 
is generally а dingy bluish green, thickly mottled and freckled with brownish red.’ 
“Miss Cockburn, of Kotagherry, notes that ‘Blackbirds seldom lay more than four eggs, the 
ground-colour of which is a light green, with blotches and spots of a light red and brown. They 
generally build in thick bushes or trees, often on those the branches of which overhang streams of 
water. I once found a Blackbird's nest built in a bank just in a place a Robin would have chosen. 
The nest was quite exposed to view, and I frequently saw one of the birds sitting in the nest, while 
It is then covered, 
