PASSERINE BIRDS OF CEYLON. 147 



Sub-family Ploceinse. 



Genus Ploceus, 



Weaver Birds. 



The Weaver Birds comprise two Ceylon species of about 

 the size of the Sparrow, to which in build they bear a con- 

 siderable resemblance. They feed largely on grain and are 

 very gregarious. They always breed in colonies and take 

 their name from the neatly woven flask-shaped nests which 

 they construct. 



In addition to the autumn moult, there is a partial moult 

 in spring, after which the males assume a bright yellow crown. 

 The bill is stout and conical ; the wings are of moderate length 

 and rather rounded, the first primary though small is plainly 

 visible and reaches just beyond the primary coverts ; the tail 

 of 12 feathers is short and rounded ; the tarsus is strong, but 

 of moderate length, the claws are fairly long and curved. 



Key to Ceylon Ploceinse. 



1. — Breast plain or not conspicuously streaked. 



Ploceus passerinus baya (Common Weaver Bird). 

 2. — Breast conspicuously streaked. 



P, manyar manyar (Striated Weaver Bird). 



Ploceus passerinus baya. 

 The Common Weaver Bird. 



Ploceus baya (Oates, Vol. II., p. 175) ; Ploceus ■phUippinus 

 (Legge, p. 641). 



Description. — Male in breeding plumage : Forehead, crown, 

 and nape canary-yellow, blending on the nape into the dark 

 brown of the hind-neck ; feathers of the back and scapulars 

 almost black with broad yellow margins ; lower back and 

 rump unstreaked brown ; upper tail coverts with pale tips ; 

 wing coverts, quills, and tail feathers dark brown with pale 

 fulvous edges ; lores, face, ear coverts, and throat dark brown ; 

 breast bright yellow ; rest of lower parts fulvous, paling into 

 whitish on the vent and lower tail coverts. 



