Descriptive List of the Cornmon Birds 



a narrow black semicircular bar, so that the 

 lower parts of the bird have the appearance of 

 a nutmeg-grater : hence one of the popular 

 names of the bird. Bill dark slaty blue. 



Does not occur in N.W. F. P. or Sind. 

 (Illus. G. B., p. i6.) 



78. Stictospiza formosa : The Green Munia, 

 or Green Waxbill. (F. 737), (J. 705), ( - I.) 



This beautiful little bird, which is barely 

 two-thirds the size of the sparrow, is fre- 

 quently caged. The upper plumage and 

 wings are light green, brighter in the cock 

 than in the hen ; the tail is black, the lower 

 parts are yellow, brighter in the cock than in 

 the hen. Bill bright red. 



Distribution : Central India and Southern 

 Bengal. 



79. Spor^ginthus amandava : The Indian 

 Red Munia, or Red Waxbill, or Lai, or Ama- 

 davat. (F. 738), (J. 704), (-1.) 



Every aviary in India boasts one or two 

 amadavats. 



This is a tiny little bird with a bright red 

 beak and red eyes. The general hue of the 

 plumage is reddish brown with patches of the 

 richest crimson and some tiny white spots. 

 There is more crimson in the cock than in the 

 13s 



