The nests were very similar—­small massive cups, composed exteriorly of dry blades of grass and leaves, and lined internally with fine grass and a few feathers.  Both nests exhibit this lining of feathers, so that it is no accident but a characteristic of the bird’s architecture.  In one nest a good deal more of the fine flower-panicle stems of grasses are intermingled than in the other.  Externally the nests are about 4.5 in diameter and 2.5 in height; the cavity 2 inches in diameter and about 1.25 in depth.

Five more nests of this species have been taken by Mr. Mandelli in the neighbourhood of Lebong, between the 18th May and 15th July; with one exception, where there were only three slightly set eggs, all the nests contained four more or less incubated ones.  All the nests were placed in amongst the twigs of low brushwood at heights of from 1 to 3 feet from the ground, and all present the invariable characteristic feature of this species, namely, a greater or less admixture of feathers in the lining of the cavity.  Examining the nests carefully, it will be seen that they are composed of three layers—­exteriorly everywhere coarse blades of grass and straw loosely put together, inside this a mass of extremely fine panicle-stems of flowering grass, and then inside this the lining of moderately fine grass mingled with feathers.  The nests vary a good deal in size, according to the thickness of the coarse outer layer and the extent to which this straggles; but they seem to be generally from 4 to 5 inches in diameter, and 2.5 in height, whilst the cavity is about 2 inches in diameter, and 1, or a little more than 1, in depth.

The eggs (each nest contained four) are sui generis, moderately broad regular ovals, with a decided but not brilliant gloss, and of a nearly uniform chocolate-purple.  The eggs of one nest are of a a slightly deeper shade than those of another, probably in consequence of one set being more incubated than the other.  They vary in length from 0.66 to 0.69, and from 0.49 to 0.52 in breadth.

I do not entertain the slightest doubt of these nests and eggs.

Mr. Mandelli has sent me many more eggs of this species, mostly deep chocolate-purple, but here and there an egg somewhat paler, what might be called a pinkish chocolate.  They vary from 0.61 to 0.70 in length, and from 0.48 to 0.53 in breadth; but the average of fifteen eggs is 0.67 by 0.51 nearly.

450.  Horornis pallidus(Brooks). The Pale Bush-Warbler.

Horeites pallidus, Brooks, Hume, Rough Draft N. & E. no. 527 bis.

The Pale Bush-Warbler breeds in Cashmere, according to Mr. Brooks, during May.  I know nothing either of the bird or its nidification myself.  I have never even closely examined a specimen, and merely accept the species on Mr. Brooks’s authority.

He tells me that he found a nest on the 25th May at Kangan in Cashmere.

Mr. Brooks writes:—­“The nest of Horornis pallidus, which I found near Kangan in Cashmere, up the Sind Valley, was placed in tangled brushwood, and about five feet above the ground.  It was on a slightly sloping bank, and close to the edge of a patch of jungle, not far from the right bank of the river.