NESTING IN WESTERN INDIA. 113 



Khandeish. It is very common in Sind and Northern Gujerat, and 

 Captain Butler records it from Belgaum. 



They breed towards the end of the rains, when the reeds and 

 rushes have attained their full growth. The nest is somewhat simi- 

 lar to that of the Common Weaver-Bird, but owing to its being 

 attached to the tops of a number of reeds, instead of to a single 

 twig, the upper portion is much thicker. The tubular entrance is 

 much shorter as a rule, All the nests I have seen have been composed 

 of strips of grass-blades ; although the nest is typically pendant, yet 

 the leaves of the reeds and rush stems, are often to some extent 

 woven into the body of the nest, affording it considerable stability, 

 but this is I believe more the result of accident than design. The 

 eggs, usually three, seldom four in number, are exact counterparts in 

 shape and colour of those of the Common Weaver- Bird, but average 

 rather smaller. 



Deesa (Milam), August to September. H. E. Barnes 



Hyderabad, Sind, „ Do. 



Belgaum, „ Captain Butler. 



696.— THE BLACK-THROATED WEAVER-BIRD. 



Ploceus bengalensis. Lin. 



The Black-throated Weaver Bird seems to be confined to the more 

 northern portions of Western India. 



I met with it at Hyderabad in Sind and at Deesa in Northern 

 Gujerat. 



At Hyderabad I found what I thought were their nests, but have 

 now reason to think that I was mistaken ; at all events, as I had no 

 gun with me, I could not shoot a specimen. 



Captain Butler (now Colonel) in Stray Feathers, Vol. VII., page 

 184, records the following note : — 



" Not uncommon about Hyderabad and the country east, and I 

 have noticed nests of all three species, the present, philippemis, manyar 

 and bengalensis on the same tree." I feel sure that he has made a 

 mistake. 



All the nests of Weaver Birds that I have seen on trees at Hydera- 

 bad were undoubtedly those of the Common Weaver Bird, and all the 

 15 



