546 Mr. P. Lewis on the Land-birds of 



particularly the dry parts of the province. It has, since 

 1879j advanced its distribution in the province. In the 

 year I refer to these Weaver-birds were not known as nesting 

 to the west of Balangoda, but are now to be found several 

 miles to the west of this point and at 2500 feet altitude. 

 They breed from the end of April through the S.W. monsoon, 

 selecting solitary fields, generally in the neighbourhood of 

 rice-fields. The eggs are three, and often four, in number, of 

 a pure white colour. 



148. MuNiA KELAARTi (Lcgge, B. of C. p. 650, pi. xxvii. 

 fig. 2). 



A very abundant little bird above 1500 feet, below which 

 1 have not often met with it, but it might readily be over- 

 looked among many of the Bunting tribe in the province. 



It breeds in the S.W. monsoon, often constructing its 

 nest in fruit-trees on the tea-estates in the hills. The eggs 

 are pure white, and rather pointed in shape. I have found 

 as many as four eggs in one nest, but the usual number 

 is two. Endemic. 



149. MuNiA MALACCA (Lcggc, B. of C. p. 652). 



This bird has a curious distribution in the province. I 

 have, as recorded by Legge, found it in the Wallaway valley 

 and in the tank-country towards the foot of the hills. Again, 

 I have obtained it in the grass-lands at Gallagama and up as 

 high as the Horton Plains, I have no authentic instance of 

 its nidification in the province. 



150. MuNIA PUNCTULATA (Lcggc, B. of C. p. 656). 



The Spotted Bunting is very generally distributed through 

 the lower parts of the province. In the Kegalla district it 

 is more abundant towards the foot of the Kandyan hills, 

 where it frequents paddy- (rice-) fields in flocks. It breeds 

 nearly all the year round, selecting for the purpose solitary 

 trees that are more or less densely branched. The eggs 

 are generally four in number. 



151. MuNiA STRIATA (Lcggc, B. of C. p. 660). 



1 have found this bird in fair abundance throughout the 



