Descriptive List of the Common Birds 



The Munias, J^-'J(^ 



Munlas are diminutive birds, considerably 

 smaller than the sparrow, characterised by 

 very thick bills. Except when breeding they 

 usually go about in flocks. The nest, which 

 is rarely situated at any great distance from 

 the^ ground, is a large, ball-like structure, 

 having an entrance at the side. The eggs are 

 white. 



74. Munia malacca : The Black-headed 

 Munia. (F. 725), (J. 697), (-1.) 



Head and breast black, back wings and tail 

 rich chestnut, tinged with maroon. Abdomen 

 white, rest of lower plumage black. Bill very 

 pale slate colour. 



This handsome species is confined to S. 

 India ; in the north it is replaced by a closely 

 allied species (75). 



75. Munia atricaplla : The Chestnut-bel- 

 lied Munia. (F. 726), (J. 698), ( - I.) 



This differs from 74 only in having the 

 abdomen chestnut instead of white. 



"jG, Uroloncha malaharica : The White- 

 throated Munia (called the Chiruka in N. 

 India). (F. 734), (J. 703), (-1.) 



Jerdon's name for this bird— the Plain 

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