THE FINCHES. 81 



Anyone wishing to keep Weavers should get about a 

 dozen pairs if possible and give them. plenty of room. 

 They should not be associated with any birds weaker in 

 the bill than themselves, such as Canaries, as they have 

 a nasty trick of biting the feet of other birds, and are 

 generally spiteful in disposition. But the bright colours 

 of the breeding males, and their very interesting habits, 

 render them well worth keeping with such companions as 

 Java Sparrows, Budgerigars, or Doves. They will breed 

 in captivity, and should have some insect-food at nesting- 

 time. 



Two other species of Weavers are common in India, the 

 Bengal Weaver (Ploceus bengalensis), easily distinguished 

 by its blue-grey bill, and the Striated Weaver (Ploceus 

 manyar) which is heavily streaked with black beneath. 



Another species, though so far very rare and little 

 known, needs mention here, as most of the recorded 

 specimens have been met with in captivity. This is 

 the Large-billed Weaver of the Terai (Ploceus megar- 

 hynchus) which has been confused with the Eastern Baya 

 Weaver in ornithological works. The male of this species 

 in its winter plumage and the female always is much like 

 the ordinary Weavers in the corresponding garb, but 

 noticeably larger, being almost as big as the Pawi or small 

 Grey-headed Mynah. It is also of a duller brown and 

 less streaked ; but these points were not considered 

 sufficient to distinguish it by anyone except Mr. Hume, 

 until I found, quite by accident, that the summer- 

 plumaged male was very different from our other species. 

 It is much more yellow, this colour extending all over 

 F, GAB 6 



