THE FINCHRS. 81 
They should not be associated with any birds weaker in 
the bill than themselves, such as Canaries, as they have 
a nasty trick of biting the feet of other birds, and are 
generally spiteful in disposition. But the bright colours of 
the breeding males, and their very interesting habits, render 
them well worth keeping with such companions as Java 
Sparrows, Budgerigars, or Doves. They will breed in cap- 
tivity, and should have some insect-food at nesting-time. 
Two other species of Weavers are common in India, the 
Bengal Weaver (Ploceus bengalensis), easily distinguished 
by its blue-grey bill, and the Striated’ Weaver (Ploceus 
manyar) which is heavily streaked with black beneath. 
Another species, though so far very rare and little 
known, needs mention here, as most of the recorded 
specimens have been met with in captivity. This is 
the Large-billed Weaver of the Terai (Ploceus megar- 
hynchus) which has been confused with the Eastern 
Baya Weaver in ornithological works. The male of this 
species in its winter plumage and the female always is 
much like the ordinary Weavers in the corresponding 
garb, but noticeably larger, being almost as big as the 
Pawi or small Grey-headed Mynah. It is also of a duller 
brown and less streaked; but these points were not 
considered sufficient to distinguish it by anyone except 
Mr. Hume, until I found, quite by accident, that the 
summer-plumaged male was very different from our 
other species. It is much more yellow, this colour ex- 
tending all over the undersurface of the body and nearly 
all over the head, so that practically the only brown 
parts are the wings and tail. 
F, GAB 6 
