CAPEIMULaUS ASIATICUS. 
345 
Nidification . — ^The breeding-season on the western side of the island is during the first three or four 
months of the year. It lays usually two eggs on the bare ground, often without any depression or nest- 
formation; but the shelter of a bush or stump is generally chosen. The eggs are ovals in shape and smooth 
in texture, of a light salmon or reddish-grey ground-colour, marbled slightly and blotched openly tliroughout 
the surface mth sienna-red over faint clouds of bluish grey. An egg obtained in the cinnamon-gardens 
measured 1‘13 by 0'73 inch ; but in ‘Nests and Eggs ' the average is given at 1'04 by 0-77 inch. The eggs 
are much more salmon-coloured than those of the last species and smaller. In India this species breeds 
chiefiy in April and May, but its eggs have been taken in July; and Captain Butler is of opinion that it lays 
twice in the year, he having shot a hen bird, in company with a yonng one just fledged, on the 20th of July, 
and found, on dissecting her, that she was about to lay again. It is said not to be so particular in choosing 
its situation as other Nightjars. Mr. R. Thompson, as quoted by Mr. Hume, says that he has found the eggs 
“ in a quite unsheltered spot in the middle of a dry pebbly nullah.” 
Order PASSEEES. 
Primaries usually 10, in one section only 9 ; greater coverts arranged in a single row, not 
reaching beyond the middle of the secondaries ; rectrices usually 12, rarely 10. Hallux stout, 
furnished with a larger claw than the other toes. 
Sternum with a single notch at each side of the posterior margin. 
Sect. A. Tuedoid or Theush-like Passeees*. Wm^ with li) primaries, the 1st reduced in size. 
Earn. CORVIDiE. 
Bill without a distinct notch in the tip of the upper mandible ; stout and straight in most 
genera, curved in some. Wings variable. Legs and feet stout, the tarsus strongly scutate. 
Hind toe very strong, claws well curved. 
Sternum broad, the keel rather high, the posterior edge with a wide deep notch in each 
half near the side. 
Subfam. CORVINA:. 
Bill more or less long and straight, stout, and the culmen high and much curved, an obsolete 
notch near the tip of the upper mandible. Nostrils placed in a deep depression, and protected 
by an impending tuft of bristles. 
* The system of classification of the great Order Passeres which I shall follow in this work will be that of Mr. "Wallace, 
as drawn up in ‘ The Ibis ’ for 1874, with such modifications adopted by Mr. Sharpe in the ‘ Catalogue of Birds ’ as seem 
to me justified by my own personal experience. 
