150 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 



occurs in flocks, which can be heard at some distance. It 

 appears to feed on insects as well as on grass seeds. The 

 breeding season is about February and March, and again in 

 June. The nest is constructed like that of the last species, 

 but the top is almost square, not tapering, being hung from 

 the points of several bulrush leaves gathered together ; the 

 funnel, too, is shorter. The eggs resemble those of the 

 Common Weaver Bird, and are two or three in number. 

 Average size • 76 by • 58. 



Sub-family Viduinse. 



Munias. 



The Viduinse- are a fairly numerous group of small finch- 

 like birds, the largest of which seldom exceed 5 inches in 

 length. They differ from the Weaver Birds in having an 

 exceedingly minute first primarj^ and by not undergoing any 

 change of plumage in spring. They are all more or less 

 gregarious, except in the breeding season, and all build large 

 globular nests of grass, often using fine grass stems with the 

 flower heads still attached. The entrance js generally a round 

 opening at one side of the ball. The eggs are invariably pure 

 white, and the clutches are large, frequently consisting of 

 six eggs or even more. Munias feed on grain and small grass 

 seeds. Five species are found wild in Ceylon. One of them 

 belongs to the genus Munia, in which the tail is short and 

 round, while the middle pair of feathers are narrow and 

 pointed. The plumage in this genus is mainly black and 

 chestnut. The other species are all included in the genus 

 Uroloncha, in which the tail is longer, while the outer feathers 

 are considerably shorter than those in the centre. 



None of the Munias are known to migrate, but as many 

 species are frequently kept as cage birds, several exotic forms 

 from time to time occur as escapes. Three such species have 

 been recorded in the Island : — 



(1) Mtmia oryzivora (The Java Sparrow). — This species 

 has the head black with white cheeks and ear coverts ; the 

 rump and tail are also black ; the remainder of the upper 



