238 FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



found it plentiful not far from Agalewatta. It inhabits the east coast 

 from Batticaloa northwards, as far as Trincomalie, and the neighbour- 

 hood ; but further north it appears to be rare.* 



" The ' Chestnut-backed Finch ' affects paddy- and grass-fields, 

 situated among the woods and forests, and is also found in marshy 

 land about tanks and water-holes. In the hills it is partial to the 

 Maana-grass patnas, and those covered with tangled bushes and rank 

 vegetation. It is very destructive in the paddy-fields of the Kandyans, 

 necessitating the constant presence of call-boys, and the erection of all 

 manner of scarecrows, for the protection of their crops. Like the 

 two following species (Munia punctulata and M. siriataj it is very 

 sociable, feeding in large flocks, which are quite sufficient to inflict 

 heavy damage in the fields of the hard-working Cingalese cultivators. 

 It is very fond of the seed of the maana-grass, and that of various 

 reeds and rushes which grow in swamps and marshy spots. Its note 

 is like that of the common species, M. punctulata, but stronger, and 

 its flight is also similar. 



" This Munia breeds often gregariously. The season of its nesting 

 lasts from May until August. In the former month I found many 

 nests among the gigantic ' maana-grass,' and tangled ' brackens,' which 

 cover the Uva patnas ; and in the latter I found it nesting, a number 

 together, among reeds near Hambantota, in company with the Baya 

 (Ploceus manyar?j. The nest is sometimes placed in a low bush, but 

 it is more frequently built in grass and ' brackens.' It is a large, 

 strongly made, globular structure, composed of the material nearest to 

 hand, either blades of grass and roots, or strips of reeds, with a large 

 unfinished-looking opening at the side. The interior is roomy, and in 

 some cases very deep, and is lined with flowering grass-stalks or fine 

 grass itself. The eggs vary from four to six in number, but most 

 commonly do not exceed the former figure ; they are pure white, rather 

 stumpy ovals, and larger than those of its congeners." 



" In India it breeds from July till October." 



K. Bartlett, not being aware that this species had already received 

 the distinctive appellation of " Three-coloured Mannikin," proposed for 

 it the new title of " White-chested Munia," in order to distinguish it 

 from the other Black-headed species. Unfortunately there are other 

 White-chested Munias (though they are not so-called), and " Three- 

 coloured " answers the purpose equally well. 



* I quote this in full for the edification of those intimately acquainted with the geography 

 of Ceylon. Personally, I must confess that most of the localities mentioned are mere names 

 to me : Kandy and Trincomalie are, of course, familiar to most students. A.G.B. 



