32 HABITS AND HAUNTS OF BIRDS 
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tory, and feed partly on the ground. The eggs of all are profusely spot_ 
ted, and the nest is generally a loose structure of twigs, with a slight 
inner casing of fine roots. 
Tree pies, (Dendrocitta).—Are found throughout India in wood- 
ed country. Their habits and nests are very similar to those of the jays, 
and they do not migrate, but the eggs are less thickly spotted. 
Choughs, (Pregilus, Pyrrhocorax).—Are permanent residents in 
the alpine Himalayas; but their breeding in this country has only very 
recently been ascertained. They nestle in holes, in rocks, and in buildings, 
and their eggs are similar to those of the European chough. A few 
migrate as far south as the Punjab in the cold weather. 
Starlings, (Stwrnus).—Are cold weather visitants to the plains of 
India, migrating north and west to breed. One only (S. nitens) breeds 
within our limits in Kashmir and the extreme north-west Punjab. They 
build in holes and lay unspotted blue eggs. 
Mynahs, (Stwrnopastor, Acridotheres, Temenuchus, Pastor, Sara- 
glossa, Eulabes)—As a rule these birds are not migratory. The 
genus Pastor perhaps more properly belongs to the starlings. The only 
species of Pastor that occurs here (P. roseus) is very migratory, and does 
not breed in this country. The true mynahs (Acridotheres, Temenuchus, 
Sturnopastor) ave very domestic, and are found almost everywhere. The 
stare (Saraglossa) is confined to the Himalayas, and the grackles (Eulabes) 
to warm forest country. All build in holes, except the pied mynah 
(S. contra) which makes a conspicuous nest like a truss of hay in the 
outer fork of a bare tree. The eggs of the rose-coloured pastor 
(P. roseus) are not known. The true mynahs lay unspotted blue eggs. 
But the eggs of the stare and of the grackles are all spotted. 
Weaver birds, (Ploceus).—Are highly gregarious, but not 
migratory. They are somewhat locally distributed, and prefer wooded 
country near long grass and water. They lay pure white eggs. 
Munias, (Munia, Estrelda).--Ave all permanent residents in some 
part of India. They wander a good deal in the cold weather, and frequent 
erass jungle near water or open glades in forests. They make large 
rough globular nests and lay pure white eggs. 
Sparrows, (Passer).—Are widely distributed and do not as a rule 
migrate, though in the winter they associate in flocks. Their eggs are all 
profusely spotted. 
Buntings, (Emberiza, Euspiza, Melophus).—Are usually migratory 
