204 
ORNITHOLOGY. 
colouring at all closely approximates. They are all 
streakily blotelied and mottled with different shades of 
brownish-red^ some comparatively thinly, generally some- 
what densely, and occasion all j'- so closely as to leave but 
little of the ground colour visible. In all cases the markings 
are most numerous at the large end, where they very 
commonly form a conspicuous irregular mottled cap. Oc- 
casionally, but rarely, small specks and spots take the place 
of streaky blotches, and the smaller end is almost entirely 
free from markings. Faint underlying spots of pale inky 
purple are traceable in a few specimens. In the extent and 
bold streaky character of their markings, these eggs seem to 
me to stand apart from those of most of the other genera of 
the Lusciniince ; though they are most nearly related to 
those of the Thamnobia. It is noteworthy that some 
specimens of the eggs pretty closely resemble the peculiar 
variety of the Nightingale as figured by Mr. Hewitson. 
(PI. xxxiii. fig. 2.) In size they vary from 0*78 to 0'95 in 
length, and from 0*6 to 0-75 in breadth, but the average of 
fifty eggs measured was 0-87 by 0-64. \^A. O. H.^ 
483. Pratincola rubicola (Linn.). 
This species was found throughout Kashmir and in 
Yarkand, on the banks of the Karakash river, and wherever 
there was grass and low jungle, but not otherwise. [.G. H.] 
One specimen procured near Jhelam in November, and 
two specimens procured in September at Shahidulla, Yarkand, 
are of the typical P. rubicola race, whilst the males pro- 
cured in June in Kashmir are smaller and of the intensely 
black P. indica type. 
I do not expect to convince others, but I have now 
satisfied myself that, contrary to the opinion I once 
held, Pratincola indica is not a good species. From 
every local division of India, hills and plains, from 
which I have received P. indica I have also obtained 
P. rubicola. Three out of fifteen European specimens must 
be referred to P. indica. Intermediate forms are everywhere 
common. All that can be said is that in certain localities 
the majority of the birds incline to the P. indica type. 
