THE FINCHES. 87 



are absolutely different, being plain light brown throughout. 

 In this state they are almost exactly like the young of 

 another very common Munia, the Black-headed Nun of 

 English dealers (Munia atricapilla), which, when adult, 

 is rich chestnut with a jet-black head and belly. The 

 Spotted Munia is found nearly all. over the Empire, but 

 does not go very high up in the Himalayas ; I have seen 

 it breeding in the compound of the Forest School at Dehra 

 Dun. Munias do not breed in company like Weavers, 

 and their nests are very different, being large balls of 

 grass, with an opening in one side, placed in a bush. 

 About half-a-dozen small white eggs are laid, and in the 

 case of the present species, at any rate, the whole family, 

 parents and children, use the nest as a dormitory when 

 the latter are fledged. This is the opportunity of the 

 wily native, who, approaching the little snuggery at 

 night, closes its mouth with a cloth and carries off the 

 inmates. 



The Nutmeg-bird, like most other Munias, has a most 

 peculiar song ; he goes through all the motions of singing 

 with rather an extra display of energy, but hardly a sound 

 escapes him audibly to us ; no doubt, however, his mate 

 hears and appreciates his " top-notes." 



THE SHARP-TAILED MUNIA (Uroloncha acuticauda) 

 much resembles the Nutmeg-bird in size and form, but is 

 slightly smaller with a longer tail. In colour it is dark 

 brown, with the flanks and belly very pale brown, sharply- 

 contrasted ; all the feathers have pale shafts, which gives 

 the plumage a streaky appearance. The bill is black 

 above and blue-grey below. This bird in its natural 



