NESTS AND EGGS OF COMMON BIRDS OF TEE U. P. 1073 
moved from human habitations. Nests are commonly found in thin scrub jungle, 
and especially on babool trees scattered about open plains. In fact I have never 
taken nests which were not on babool trees or thorny bushes. They are never 
placed at any great height from the ground, and are eonstnicted almost entire- 
ly of dry grass-roots, and vegetable fibres ; in numerous instances the outer 
layers being eomposed of thorny twigs, like the nests of Lanius lahtora. The 
egg cavity, which is more or less cup-shaped, is lined with close-woven roots of 
“khus-khus” grass, and similar vegetable fibres. Externally the nest would meas- 
ure about 6 inches in diameter, and the egg cavity from 3 to 4 inches in diameter, 
and from 2 to 3 inches in depth. As a rule the nest is fairly substantial, but is 
not to be compared for compactness with that of A. caudata. 
The normal number of eggs laid appears to bo four. In shape they are typical- 
ly rather broad ovals, somewhat pointed towards one end, but more or less elon- 
gated and spherical varieties occur sometimes. They are of a bright greenish- 
blue colour throughout, darker in some specimens than in others, with a decided 
gloss. A normal specimen would measure about 0.99 by 0.77 inch. 
Crate ro pus canorus (10) . . The Jungle Babbler. 
Local names . . . . . . Sat-bhai. 
Anglo-Indian name . . . . The Common Magpie. 
I should say that this bird without exception is the commonest in almost ever^ 
district of the Province. Every eompound and garden is frequented by them 
in large or small parties. In Ghazipur they are so numerous and aggressive, 
inflicting considerable damage in both flower and vegetable gardens, that they 
might very well be classified as vermin. The period of nidification is somewhat 
prolonged, from March to August, though I have frequently found nests in 
September. 
The associating together of small parties even when nesting is specially notice- 
able in this species ; but in all my experience I have never met with more than 
one nest at a time in the vicinity frequented by any one party. The young 
when fledged immediately swell the numbers of that party, but what seems most 
extraordinary is that it is not till the parents of one brood are busy feeding the 
fledglings that another pair take it into their heads to commence building. The 
birds certainly do not assist in feeding the brood from another nest, so that their 
parential instinct would seem to be stirred only by the sight of young birds in 
their midst. I have noticed this peculiarity in several instances, and if it consti- 
tutes a general practice, it would explain the long period of nidification, and dis- 
prove the existing idea of two and three broods a year. 
The nest resembles very much)that of A. malcolmi but is generally not so 
substantially constructed, nor as neatly put together ; and is more often than not 
to be found in groves and gardens adjoining human dwellings. Any small tree 
or scrub serves the purpose equally well, but as the nest is never placed at any 
great distance from the ground, a corrsiderable amount of attention is paid to 
concealment. Bushes and shrubbery are specially favoured. 
With regard to the division of labour the greater portion seems to be borne 
by the hen bird ; but the cock is invariably in attendance, if for no other 
purpose than to cheer her with his presence, and to assist in protecting the 
nursery against attack. 
The normal number of eggs laid appears to be four, and from a large series 
it would be very diflScult to separate them from the eggs of A. malcolmi, except 
that taken as a whole they are somewhat smaller and of a deeper blue ; a normal 
specimen measuring about 0.82 by 0 . 64 inch. 
Dumotia hyperythra (135) . . The Rufous-bellied Babbler. 
Local name . . . . . . Unknown. 
Anglo-Indian names . . . • Titmouse. 
This bird seems to have a curious distribution in as much as it is comparat- 
ively common in some districts, and rare in others. Its skulking nature does 
