The eggs of this species are typically somewhat elongated ovals, some are much pointed towards the small end, others are somewhat pyriform, and others again are subcylindrical.  The shell is fine and soft, but has only a moderate amount of gloss.  The ground-colour, which varies very little in shade, is a delicate pale, slightly greenish blue, almost precisely the same colour as that of Trochalopterum erythrocephalum.  The eggs are sparingly (in fact, almost exclusively about the large end) marked with deep chocolate.  These markings are in some spots and blotches, but in many assume the form of thicker or thinner hieroglyphic lines.  As a rule, three fourths of the egg is spotless, occasionally a single speck or spot occurs towards the small end of the egg.  One or two eggs are almost spotless.  In length the eggs vary from 1.1 to 1.23, and in breadth from 0.73 to 0.87, but the average of sixteen eggs is 1.17 nearly by 0.82.

87.  Trochalopterum phoeniceum (Gould). The Crimson-winged Laughing-Thrush.

Trochalopteron phoeniceum (Gould), Jerd.  B. Ind. ii, p. 48; Hume, Rough Draft N. & E. no. 422.

Mr. Gammie says:—­“I have found altogether seven nests of the Crimson-winged Laughing-Thrush in and about Rishap, at elevations between 4000 and 5000 feet, and on various dates between the 4th and 23rd May.  The locality chosen for the nest is in some moist forest amongst dense undergrowth.  It is placed in shrubs, at heights of from 6 to 10 feet from the ground, and is generally suspended between several upright stems, to which it is firmly attached by fibres.  It is chiefly composed of dry bamboo-leaves and a few twigs, and lined with black fibres and moss-roots.  A few strings of moss are twisted round it externally to aid in concealing it.  It is a moderately deep cup, measuring externally about 5 inches in diameter and 4 inches in height, and internally 31/2 inches in width and 2 inches in depth.

“The eggs are almost always three in number, but occasionally only two.  Of the seven nests taken by me, five contained eggs and two young birds.”

The Crimson-winged Laughing-Thrush, according to Mr. Hodgson’s notes, breeds in Sikhim, at elevations of from 3000 to 5000 feet, during the months of April, May, and June.  The nest is placed in the fork of some thick bush or small tree, where three or four sprays divide, at from 2 to 5 feet above the ground.  The nest is a very deep compact cup.  One measured in situ was 4.5 inches in diameter and the same in height externally, while the cavity was 3 inches in diameter and 2.25 deep.  It was very compact and was composed of dry leaves, creepers, grass-flowers, and vegetable fibres, more or less lined with moss-roots and coated externally with dry bamboo-leaves.  They lay, we are told, three or four eggs.

Dr. Jerdon says:—­“A nest and eggs said to be of this bird were brought to me at Darjeeling; the nest made of roots and grass, and the eggs, three in number, pale blue, with a few narrow and wavy dusky streaks.”