The eggs are ovals, as a rule, neither very broad nor much elongated.  Pyriform examples occur, but a somewhat perfect oval is the usual type, and the examination of a large series shows that the tendency is to vary to a globular and not to an elongated shape.  The eggs are brilliantly glossy, and, though considerably smaller, strongly resemble, as is well known, those of the little short-tailed Cetti’s Warbler.

In colour they are brick-red, some, however, being paler and yellower, others deeper and more mahogany-coloured.  There is a strong tendency to exhibit all ill-defined cloudy cap or zone, of far greater intensity than the colour of the rest of the egg, at or towards the large end.

In length the eggs vary from 0.6 to 0.68, and in breadth from 0.45 to 0.5; but the average of seventy eggs measured is 0.62 by 0.46.

465.  Prinia sylvatica, Jerd. The Jungle Wren-Warbler.

Drymoipus sylvaticus, Jerd.  B. Ind ii, p. 181; Hume, Rough
Draft N. & E. no. 545. 
Drymoipus neglectus, Jerd.  R. Ind. ii, p. 182; Hume, Rough
Draft N. & E. no. 546.

Dr. Jerdon says:—­“I found the nest in low jungle near Nellore, made chiefly of grass, with a few roots and fibres, globular, large, with a hole at one side near the top, and the eggs white, spotted very thickly with rusty red, especially at the thick end.”

Mr. Blewitt appears to have taken many eggs of this species in the Raipoor District, and he has sent me the following notes, together with numerous eggs.  He says:—­

“The Jungle Wren-Warbler breeds in the Raipoor District from about the middle of June to the middle of August.  Low thorn-bushes on rocky ground are chiefly selected for the nest, and both parent birds assist in building it and in hatching and rearing the young.  A new nest is made each year, and four is the maximum number of eggs.

“On the 1st July this year I found a nest of this species in the centre of a low thorny bush, growing in rocky ground, about two miles north of Doongurgurh in the Raipoor District.

“The nest was about 4 feet from the ground, firmly attached to and supported by the branches.  It was of a deep cup shape, 3.6 in diameter and 4.9 in height, composed of coarser and finer grasses firmly interwoven, and contained four fresh eggs.  In the same locality we secured a second similarly situated nest, about 21/2 feet from the ground, and it contained a single fresh egg.  It was rather more neatly and massively made than the former.  It was about 4 inches in diameter and 5 inches in height, and the egg-cavity was nearly 3 inches deep.  The lining is of fine grass-stalks well interwoven.  The exterior is composed of coarse grass mixed with a little greyish-white fibre.

“Subsequently several other similar and similarly situated nests were found.”

Colonel E.A.  Butler writes:—­“The Jungle Wren-Warbler breeds in the neighbourhood of Deesa in the months of July, August, and September.  The following are the dates upon which I found nests this year (1876):—­