(© SHA.) 
Famity FRINGILLIDAt 
Finches comprise, a large family which are, of the most part, 
birds migratory in their habits, excepting Weaver-birds, Sparrows 
and Munias ; preferring usually a temperate climate. We have mary 
species, which are found in the district. Bill is short, thick ard 
conical in shape ; wings in most of the species are lorg and pointed ; 
tail forked in most ; tarsus strong; feet suitable for perching ard 
progression on the land. Their flight is strorg ard eratic. In 
habits, they are social. In winter, chiefly, they congregate in big 
flocks. They are mostly bird of small size. 
This family is divided into :— 
I.— PLOCEIN” iz Weaver birds. 
II.—ESTRELDINZA .., Munias and Wax-bills. 
TH) PASSERIN An, “2 Sparrows. 
IV.—EMBERIZINE[ ... Buntings. 
V.—FRINGILLINA ... Grosbeaks, Bull-Finches, Rose- 
Finches, ete. 
VI.-—ALAUDINA base Larks. 
I.—PLOCEIN i. 
These little finches are well known in the plains for their ingeni- 
ously constructed bottle or retort shaped nests, which are seen in most 
places. They are social and gregarious. Their nests are usually 
found in colonies, of these weaver birds, hanging from Palm and 
Babool trees. Bill is somewhat lengthened, lst primary, oi the 
quills, minute ; tail fairly short ; legs and toes very strong ; lateral 
toes lengthened ; hind toe long, claw strong. 
(694) PLoceus BAYA, Common IV eaver-bird, though it is not found 
in the district we cannot do better than turn our attention to this 
interesting little bird. Their ingeniously worked, retort shaped 
nests are frequently, met with, hanging in the terai from thorny trees 
or further afield in the plains, where Cocoanut and Palmyra Palm 
trees abound, nests are fixed, suspended from the fronds. ‘These 
clever little artizans, display great skill in nest building. I have, 
often, watched them with interest, on a spring morning, laboriously 
at work, weaving their nests snug and secure. Few are the intru- 
ders, in the shape of reptiles, smaller mammals, or big birds, who 
