( 162 ) 
can rob these little colonies of weavers. This little Finch is often 
taken in hand, not of course for its special benefit, and successfully 
trained to perform several remarkable feats. Such as loading and 
firing of a small toy cannon, on wheels with a perch, above the 
touch hole. The loud report, with which this cannon is discharged 
is startling, nevertheless, the little gunner “sticks” to its perch with 
unruffled fortitude, though the discharge has made the gun, to re- 
bound at least a foot or two in its recoil. Baya, when it has recover- 
ed its balance, merely tips up its small bill and head, as much as to 
say “what do you think of that!” The whole performance is so 
striking that, you are left pondering over vague psychological problems 
of instinct and intelligence. The next feat this sweet little bird 
performer treats one to, is: bits of papers are handed to the group 
of people watching the unpretentious exhibition, who write on it, 
then indicate with a nod or sign, to one in the company, the letter 
is intended for. Baya takes the note between its bill and delivers 
it. This part of the performance appeared to be a bit beyond the 
comprehension of baya, for it invariably took the message to the 
persons who apparently showed the greatest anxiety to get it; us- 
ually one it was not intended for. However we were all fascinated 
with the small performer and longed to reward it personally ; but 
its requirements were small and humble a few bits of silver and 
copper which were collected went into the pockets of its master. 
In size this species is 6 inches ; bill black ; irides dusky brown; 
plumage is dull brown, above, tail and wing feathers edged _ paler ; 
head bright yellow ; upper tail coverts rufous brown ; breast bright 
yellow ; under parts of body feathers whitish ; tail coverts are 
white, buff on the flanks. 
TI.—Sup-FamMiIty ESTRELDIN 4h 
Munias or Amadavads are well known birds in India, they re- 
semble in many respects the ‘last group. They are of small size ; 
bill large and conical in appearance ; wings short and rounded ; feet 
large ; tail inclined to wedge shape. 
(697) MunrtA Matacca, Black-headed Munia, is rare. 
(702) Munia acuticaupAa, Himalayan Munia, is frequently seen 
below 5,000 feet elevation, usually in biggish tlocks, feeding on grass 
seeds and small grain called cungni. ‘They keep up a cheerful chir- 
