HTPSIPETES aANEESA. 
471 
Nidification . — In the western parts of the island this species breeds from January till March, building its 
nest on a horizontal hough or in the foi’k of a lateral branch at a considerable height from the ground. It is 
a compact, though rather untidy-looking structure, made of dead leaves, roots, and moss, and lined with fibres 
and “ bents.” The eggs are normally two in number, of the usual ovate shape characteristic of Bulbuls ; 
ground-colour white, spotted and speckled with reddish brown, somewhat confluent at the obtuse end. Axis 
I'O to 1’05, diameter 0‘73 to 0’73 inch. 
In India it breeds, according to the experience of several observers, from March until June, laying two 
eggs. Mr. Davison writes, “The nest is generally placed from 12 to 30 feet from the ground, in some dense 
clump of leaves ; favourite sites are the branches of parasitic plants with which nearly every acacia, and, in 
fact, nearly every other tree about Ootacamund, is covered. The nest is composed exteriorly of moss, dry 
leaves, and roots, lined with roots and flbres.” Mr. Wait writes of its nest, as made at Coonoor, that it is neatly 
and firmly made, composed chiefly outside of green moss, grass-stalks, and fibres j while inside it is lined with 
fine stalks and hairs ; the cavity is from 2^ to 3 inches in diameter, and about half that depth. The ground- 
colour of the eggs, says Mr. Hume, varies from white to delicate pink. The markings consist of different 
shades of deep red and pale washed-out purple, which in some eggs are bold, large, and blotchy, and in others 
minute and speckly, and in both forms there is a tendency to form an irregular zone round the large end ; 
the shell has commonly little or no gloss, and is very fragile. The eggs vary from I’O to I'I7 inch in length 
by 0'7 to 0'8 in breadth. 
Genus CEINIGEE. 
Bill stout, much shorter than in Hypsi;petes, moderately curved, the tip notched. Nostrils 
linear, protected by fine bristles ; rictal bristles moderate. Wings with the 4th and 5th quills 
equal and longest. • Tail rather long, broad, wider at the tip than at the base. Legs and feet 
small. Tarsus about equal to the middle toe and claw. 
Nuchal hairs more numerous than in the last genus. 
