"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 3¼ inches by 2¼ 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:—0·9 x 0·63; 0·83 x 0·63; 0·83 x 0·6; 0·83 x 0·66; 0·86 x 0·66.">[
Subfamily BRACHYPODINAE.
263. Criniger flaveolus (Gould). The White-throated Bulbul.
Criniger flaveolus (Gould), Jerd. B. Ind. ii, p. 83; Hume. Rough
Draft N. & E. no. 451.
A nest of this species sent me from Darjeeling was found in July, at an elevation of about 3000 feet.