54 THE BIRDS OF THE LUCKNOW CIVIL DIVISION. 
while here it is captured and caged by the natives ; and, though 
I cannot say that I have ever heard it, it doubtless sings well, 
and imitates other birds like the last species. 
690.—Pastor roseus, Zin. Name name—Golabi 
Mynah. 
I have sometimes been inclined to think that some few of 
the Rose-colored Starlings were permanent residents. It is 
only, of course, from about the middle of February to the 
end of April that they occur in vast numbers, but occasional 
stragglers will be met with throughout the hot and rainy 
seasons, and it is fairly abundant as early as the commence- 
ment of October. 
In the early part of the cold weather they areseldom seen in 
parties of more than four or five members, but are very generally 
distributed, particularly in well-wooded and jungly tracts, 
interspersed with jowar fields. As the cold season advances 
these small parties would appear to lose their individuality in, 
or probably combine and constitute, the large flocks that 
traverse the country in all directions preparatory to migrating, 
as 95 per cent. undoubtedly do in April or May at latest. 
Do the few that remain warrant the acceptance of P. roseus, 
as a permanent resident ?* 
694.—Ploceus philippinus, Zin. Native name— 
aya. 
The Weaver Bird or Baya is a2 common and _ permanent 
resident. It is social in its habits, frequenting some localities in 
vast numbers ; is easily tamed, and when taken young may 
be taught a lotof tricks, and on this account is a great favorite 
with the natives. It breeds from June to the end of September, 
but not very generally until the rains have fairly set in, 
making its nest usually on trees standing in or over water. 
Its conspicuous retort-shaped nest in the babool fences along 
the railway must be familiar to every traveller. Palm trees 
are also favorite nesting places, from five to fifteen nests being 
frequently seen on one tree. Occasionally three eggs may be 
found ina nest, but seldom more than two, cylindrical in form 
and pure white. 
Average measurement of 10 eggs °80 by °57 inches. 
Measurement of largestege .. °86 ,,°60 4 
Measurement of smallest ege ... *75 ,,°55 4, 
* Most certainly the Rosy Starling is nowhere a permanent resident of the plains 
of India. I very much doubt if Mr. Reid has ever met with one about Lucknow 
between the 7th of May and the 20th of July. If he has, it can only have been a 
few isolated, weakly or wounded birds. By the end of July or the first week in August 
(it varies in different seasons) they begin to return from their bridal tour (see also 
IX., 456.)—Ead. 
