@ iB yO Sr ByB SA: 
M. Daudin fappofes the Totty Grofbeak* to bea variety, which I 
mutt leave for further inveftigation. 
This fpecies not only is obferved to make the group of nefts on 
the Acacia Trees, but likewife on the Alo? Dichotoma, which grows to 
the ftature ofa tree of no inconfiderable fize; for Mr. Barrow + 
mentions the circumftance of one which had fteps cut out on its 
trunk, to enable a perfon to climb up to obtain the neft of thefe 
birds. 
Loxia Philippina, Zzd. Orz.i. p. 380. 32. 
Tifferin des Philippines, Daud. Orz. ii. p. 394. 
Baya, Berbera, &c. Affatic Refearches, ii. p. 109.—Bartolomeo’s Voy. to the Eaft 
Indies (Engl. ed.) p. 226. 
Philippine Grofbeak, Gen, Syx. iil. p. 129. 30. 
E are inclined to think that this is the bird called Baya in 
India, {aid to be larger than a fparrow, having a yellow brown 
plumage, yellowifh head and feet, light coloured breaft, and a conic 
very thick beak; and that it is the moft docile of all birds, perching 
on its mafter’s hand ; ‘that it builds the neft chiefly on the higheft trees, 
efpecially on the Palmyra or Indian Fig Tree, preferring fuch as hang 
over the water; the neft is of grafs, fhaped like a bottle with a long 
neck, and fufpended at the ends of the branches, the entrance from 
beneath; it is faid to ufually confift of two or three chambers: fup- 
pofed to feed among other things on fire flies, as the remains are 
found in-the neft; is fo docile as to fetch and carry like a dog at 
command; it lays many eggs refembling pearls, when boiled the 
white is tranfparent, and the flavour of them excellent; it has a 
lively note, but is rather what may be called chirping than finging; 
much the fame account is given by M. Bartolomeo, in the work above 
quoted, who adds, that thefe birds chiefly frequent the cocoa-nut 
trees, in which alfo the greater part of their nefts were obferved. 
* Gen. Syn. Sup. p. 156. + Travels in South Africa, p. 393- 
Supp, II. Gic 
193 
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PHILIPPINE 
GR. 
DESCRIPTIONe 
