Writing of this species Dr. Jerdon says:—­“I procured its nest near Neddivattam on the Nilghiris, on a bank on the roadside, made with moss and roots, and containing four white eggs of a very elongated form.”

Miss Cockburn, of Kotagherry, furnishes me with the following note on the nidification of this species:—­“These birds build rather large nests, among the roots of bushes, and generally prefer those which grow on the slopes of steep hills.  Their nests are composed of coarse grass, a few roots of the same, and the bark of a bush, which cracks when dry and is very easily pulled off.  These materials are put together into a round nest, and also form a covering above, which makes the inside look very snug indeed.  But if any attempts are made to remove the nest, it generally falls to pieces, the materials having no tenacity.  This bird commonly uses no lining to its nest, but lays its eggs (three to five in number) on the coarse grass of which the inside is composed.  The eggs are pure white, particularly thin-shelled, and consequently perfectly translucent.  They are found during the months of February and March.”

Messrs. Davidson and Wenden, writing from the Deccan, remark:—­“Very common along tops of ghats.  D. got a nest with two eggs in March.”

Mr. T. Fulton Bourdillon writes from Travancore:—­“I have been so fortunate as to obtain two nests of this bird lately, though I have never found any before.  The first contained three fresh eggs on the 5th December last, and was situated in a bank on the roadside at an elevation of about 3000 feet above sea-level.  The nest was very loosely made of grass, with finer kinds of grass for the lining.  I endeavoured to preserve it, but it fell to pieces on being taken from its position, and I only succeeded in saving the eggs.  As the bird, usually a very shy one, flew off on my approach and remained close by while I was examining the nest, I have no doubt of its identity.  Whether she would have laid more eggs I cannot say, but I fancy not; three seems to be the usual number judging from the two clutches taken.  The other nest I found on the 8th of this month just completed.  It was in much the same position as the last, viz. a bank by the roadside, and as it was near my bungalow I watched to see how the eggs were deposited.  The bird laid one egg each day on the 11th, 12th and 13th, and then began to sit, so on the 15th I took the nest.  When fresh the eggs are beautifully pink from the thinness of the shell.”

Mr. J. Darling, junior, remarks:—­

“Mr. Davison makes a very good remark on the nest of this bird, but I found one once under the roots of a tree at Neddivattam, and it was a most beautiful nest, built entirely of the fibrous bark of the Nilghiri nettle, in the shape of an oven, with a hole to go in at one side.  It contained four pure white delicate eggs.  Another one found near the same place was of the same nature, only resting on some fern-leaves and under a rock, and contained five eggs.