Descriptive List of the Common Birds 



back white. Wings black and white. Lower 

 plumage chestnut red. 



He7i : Like the cock, save that the black is 

 replaced by slaty brown and the reddish lower 

 parts are much paler than in the cock. 



Found only in thick jungle. (Illus. G. B., 

 p. 40.) 



l^he Weaver Birds, 7^^7Z 



Weaver birds are sparrow-like birds of 

 gregarious habits. They build, or rather 

 weave, wonderful flask-shaped or retort-shaped 

 nests which hang from trees, the entrance 

 being from below. They breed in the rains. 

 Four species are found in India, these are : 



70. Ploceus haya : The Baya, or Common 

 Weaver Bird, or Bottle Bird. (F. 720), (J. 694), 



At most seasons of the year the cock and 

 hen are reddish-brown birds with a faint, fawn- 

 coloured eyebrow, and look very like the hen 

 house sparrow, having, like her, a thick bill. 

 The hen baya retains this plumage throughout 

 the year. In the hot weather, however, the 

 head and neck of the cock become a beautiful 

 golden yellow, as does the breast, and the chin 

 turns almost black. In this plumage the cock 

 baya is very easily recognised. 

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