479 
Mr. R. B. Sharpe on Birds from Fao. 
In 1883, first eggs were brought by an Arab about the 
13th of June, and on the 15th of the same month I found a 
nest containing two fresh eggs. In 1884, on the 14th of 
June, a nest was brought me containing four fresh eggs, and 
on the 15th I found a nest containing also four fresh eggs. 
2nd July, I came across four young birds able to fly. On 
the 3rd, three nests were brought, one containing two fresh 
eggs, another three young just fledged, and the other four 
eggs slightly incubated. On the 9th another nest, containing 
four young just fledged, was brought. On the 15th I saw a 
flock of small birds well able to fly; on the 18th I found a 
nest containing four young about a couple of days old, and 
on the 20th a nest containing three eggs well incubated 
was brought from a place called “ Goosba” on the opposite 
bank (Persian side) of the river. 
The nests are generally placed on the leaves of the date- 
palm, at no very great height. The highest I have seen was 
built about ten feet from the ground, but from three to five 
feet is the average height. 
They are substantial and cup-shaped, having a diameter of 
about 3^ inches by 2£ inches in depth, lined inside with fine 
grass, the soft fluff from the willow when in seed, wool, and 
sometimes hair. 
The eggs are of a glossy leaden white, with leaden-coloured 
blotches and spots towards the larger end, sometimes forming 
a ring round the larger end, and at times spreading over the 
entire egg. 
On rare occasions I have noticed a greenish tinge in very 
fresh eggs. This, I think, is due to the colour of the inner 
membrane, which is generally a very light green, in some 
very faint and in others more decided; this tinge seems to 
disappear after the egg is blown. 
Very rough measurements are as follows:—0"*9x0"’63; 
0"-83 x 07-63 ; 0"-83xQ"-6; 0"-83 x 0"*66; 0"-86 x 0"-66. 
In 1883 I managed to rear a young bird, feeding it on 
bread steeped in water and lots of flies. 
It used to fly about my room and the verandah, but 
always came to me when I showed it a fly. Unfortunately, 
