BIRDS OF INDIA DEWAR. 635 



FINCHES. 



As regards the finches, we may neglect the amadavats (Sporcegin- 

 thiis amandava) and the other tiny species, which do not devour any- 

 thing so large as a grain of corn. The weaver birds (Ploceus haya), 

 however, eat wheat, and Messrs. Haagner and Ivy, I notice, state 

 that the African species do damage to the crops. But it is my 

 opinion that in India weaver birds subsist, by preference, on the 

 seeds of the various species of tall grasses so common in that country. 

 I do not know from observation on what they feed their young, but 

 from the fact that they nest in the rainy season, I infer that the 

 young are reared on insect food. It is therefore my belief that 

 weaver birds ought to be numbered among the friends of the Indian 

 husbandman. Their relatives, the yellow corn buntings, near rela- 

 tions of the English yellow-hammer, may prove to be his foes, since 

 they do not breed in India. They visit Hindustan in large flocks in 

 winter, and levy toll on the ripening corn, but they, like the weaver 

 birds, appear to eat this only when grass seed is not available. More- 

 over, it is not improbable that they devour insects. Thus the case 

 against them is " not proven." 



The rose finch {Carpodacus erythrinus) is another winter visitor 

 which feeds upon the grain crops, but it rarely occurs in sufficient 

 numbers to do much damage, and, as is the case with its relatives, it 

 seems more partial to the seeds of grass than to those of cultivated 

 crops. Jerdon states that in South India he has observed it chiefly 

 in bamboo jungle, feeding on the seeds of bamboos, whence the 

 Telegu name — " bamboo-sparrow." 



PAROQUETS. 



The case against the beautiful green paroquets is, I fear, far 

 stronger. " Pretty poUy " appears never to touch insect food. There 

 is no doubt that he is destructive to cereal crops in India. He has a 

 bad habit of breaking off a head and casting it away after having 

 eaten only one or two grains. He further does harm to fruit gardens. 

 I have seen a rose-ringed paroquet {Palceornis torquatus) flying off 

 with a small orange in his beak. If these birds were very abundant 

 they would undoubtedly become serious pests. As it is they are kept 

 well in check. Hundreds of thousands of these are caught as nest- 

 lings, and sold as pets for two annas apiece. The paroquet is the 

 favorite cage bird in India; to have one in the house is considered 

 lucky. Moreover, notwithstanding recent legislation, large numbers 

 of green parrots' skins are exported from India by the plumage 

 merchant. Thus man receives ample compensation for poor polly's 

 larcenies. 



