18 



from those of M. punctulata and M. malaharica, except perhaps that elon- 

 gated varieties are more common amongst them. 



" In length the eggs vary from 0*6 to 0-72, and in breadth from 0-44 to 

 0'5 ; but the average is 0"64 by 0"47." 



In Ceylon Capt. W. V. Legge tells us : — " This fine Munia is common 

 in the south of the island, particularly in the district lying between the 

 Bentota river, round the south-west coast to the Wallaway river. Between 

 Galle and the Kukkul Korale forests it is found in wild paddy-fields and 

 small cultivated tracts of land near the inland villages in that wooded 

 region. I met with it close to the sea between Tangalla and Hambantota, 

 but did not see it in the coast-district east of the latter place. It re-appears 

 in the Park country, and is not uncommon between Batticaloa and Madul- 

 sima ; it ascends into the hills between Bibile and Badulhx, and inhabits all 

 the region and the Uva patna-basin in considerable numbers, luxuriating 

 in the long grass and tangled vegetation which clothe the maze of hills 

 between Udu Pusselawa and Haputale. In the western parts of the Kandy 

 country it is far less common. It does not seem to be common in the 

 Western Province, except in certain localities, such as the sylvan paddy- 

 fields in the lower part of the Pasdun Korale ; there I found it plentiful 

 not far from Agalewatta. It inhabits the east coast from Batticaloa north- 

 wards as far as Trincomalie and the neighbourhood ; but further north it 

 appears to be rare. 



" The ' Chestnut-backed Finch ' aff'ects paddy- and grass-fields, situated 

 among the woods and forests, and is also found in marshy land about tanks 

 and water-holes. In the hills it is partial to the Maana-grass patnas, and 

 those covered with tangled bushes and rank vegetation. It is very 

 destructive in the paddy-fields of the Kandyans, necessitating the constant 

 presence of call-boys, and the erection of all manner of scarecrows, for the 

 protection of their crops. Like the two following species (Munia punctulata 

 and Af. striata), it is very sociable, feeding in large flocks, which are quite 

 sufticient to inflict heavy damage in the fields of the hard-working Cingalese 

 cultivator. It is very fond of the seed of the Maana-grass, and that of various 

 reeds and rushes which grow in swamps and marshy spots. Its note is 

 like that of the common species 31. punctulata, but stronger, and its flight 

 is also similar." 



Continuing Capt. Legge's very interesting notes on the habits and nest- 



