122 THE POOD OF "BIRDS IN INDIA. 



Saxicolince. More than half the Indian species are found in the 

 plains, many being migrants, visiting the plains in the cold weather. 

 Their food appears to consist entirely of insects. 



Ruticillince. About half a dozen species are found in the plains, 

 the Magpie Robin being the only resident. They are all almost en- 

 tirely insectivorous, though at times the Magpie Robin undoubtedly 

 takes vegetable matter. It is also probable that several species 

 take worms and spiders, especially the robins and blue and ruby- 

 throats. 



TurdincB. Almost entirely confined to the hills, about ten spe- 

 cies occurring sparingly in the plains during the cold weather. In 

 addition to insects they live to some extent on fruit, and may at 

 times be found to damage garden bush and other fruits. In other 

 respects they are almost certainly beneficial. 



Cindince ' frequent mountain streams ' and are too few in 

 species and individuals to be of any account. 



Awentorince.- -Exclusively hill birds and are probably beneficial. 



WEAVER BIRDS AND MUNIAS. 



The food generally procured upon the ground, consists mainly 

 of seeds, but it is varied by insects occasionally taken on the wing- 

 fruits and flowers ; while the birds play havoc with rice and other 

 crops, often clinging to the stems until they have eaten every grain 

 from the head. E. B. C. N. H., 578. 



Ploceince. Weaver birds feed largely on grain and seed. F. L. 

 II, 174. Weaver birds live almost exclusively on grain. ' Grain.' 

 Jerd. B. I., I, 292. 



720. Ploceus baya. Baya. Grain of all kinds, especially rice 

 and various grass seeds ; " The fig of the Banyan." Sykes. Jerd. 

 B. I., II, 345. 



' Nests are a source of danger in the fire season in Assam. 

 During a fire they catch light at base, the few threads by which they 



