152 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 



B. — Tail longer and more pointed ; crown and nape much 

 the same colour as back. Genus Uroloncha. 

 (a) Some white on rump or upper tail coverts. 



(1) Rump white ; throat and breast black. 



U. striata (White -backed Munia). 



(2) Upper tail coverts and whole of lower parts 

 white. 



U. malaharica (White-throated Munia). 

 (fe) No white on rump or tail coverts ; lower parts 

 chequered. 



(1) Chin and throat blackish ; chequering includes 

 the whole abdomen. 



JJ. kelaarti (Ceylon Munia). 



(2) Chin and throat chestnut ; centre of abdomen 

 not chequered. 



U. pnnctulata (Spotted Munia). 



Munia Malacca. 



The Black-headed Munia. 



Munia malacca (Oates, Vol. II., p. 182 ; Legge, p. 652). 



Description. — Whole head, neck, upper breast, the middle 

 of the abdomen, vent, thighs, and under tail coverts deep 

 black ; rest of lower plumage white ; back, scapulars, and 

 wing coverts chestnut ; wing quills brown edged with chestnut ; 

 upper tail coverts shining maroon ; tail feathers brown edged 

 with glistening chestnut, which at times approaches the 

 maroon hue of the tail coverts. In young birds the upper 

 plumage, wings, and tail are rufous-brown ; the under plumage 

 pale buff. The adult plumage is acquired gradually by moult. 



Bill pale lavender ; iris dark brown ; legs and feet lead blue. 



Length 5; wing 2*2; tail 1*55; tarsus '65; bill from 

 gape '45. 



Distribution. — Rather local, and found chiefly in the east 

 and south-east of the Island ; in the low-country frequenting 

 the long grass of swamps, in the hills the long mana grass of 

 the patanas, and further east the grassy glades of the park 

 country. In other parts of the country it appears to be local 

 find scarce. It occurs over the southern half of India, 



