464 MR. E. W. H. HOLDSWORTH ON CEYLONESE BIRDS. [Mar. 5, 



194. Munia Malacca, Linn. 



195. Munia rubronigra, Hodgs. 



196. Munia undulata, Latham. 



197. Munia striata, Linn. 



198. Munia malabarica, Linn. 



"With the exception of M. rubronigra, which I have not seen, and 

 was recorded by Layard only from Galle, the above species are more 

 or less abundant in the low country — M. undulata and M. malabarica 

 being the most numerous, and the former perhaps the most widely 

 distributed. I have seen many nests of M. undulata at Aripo and 

 near Colombo, and have often watched the birds biting off the grass- 

 stems and taking them to the nest, which has been generally a large 

 structure, sometimes placed near the end of a branch, but more com- 

 monly in a thick bush. 



These species are more or less distributed through India and the 

 neighbouring countries eastward of it. 



199. Munia kelaarti, Blyth. 



Peculiar to Ceylon, and confined to the upper hills. It is abundant 

 at Nuwara Eliya at all seasons, frequenting the gardens and cultivated 

 ground, and may often be seen on the roads feeding, like the Spar- 

 rows, on what it can find there. I have specimens in all stages of 

 plumage. The adult bird may be distinguished from M. pectoralis, 

 Jerdon, with which it was at first confused, by its having the rump 

 and underparts, from the breast downwards, brownish black, with 

 each feather centred, barred, and margined with white, producing a 

 mottled effect ; the under tail-coverts are only centred white ; and the 

 extremity of the upper tail-coverts is tinged with glistening yellow. 

 Young birds have the throat speckled brown and white, and the under- 

 parts faintly mottled with two shades of light yellowish brown. 



Bill lead-colour, very dark in adults ; irides brown ; feet leaden. 



Ceylon. 



200. Estrelda amandava, Linn. 



I have seen specimens of this bird which were procured by Mr. 

 Legge from a grass-field adjoining his house at Colombo. It had 

 not been previously observed in Ceylon ; and it may be, as Mr. Legge 

 suggests as possible (J. R. A. S„ C. B., 1870-71, p. 53, note), that 

 some of the many birds of this species imported into Ceylon have 

 escaped from confinement and become acclimatized. The occurrence 

 of Munia rubronigra (a North-Indian species) only about Galle may 

 perhaps be accounted for in the same manner, if no mistake was made 

 in its identification. 



Ceylon, India, Assam, Burmah. 



201. Passer indicus, Jard. & Selby. 



Found in Ceylon wherever there are human habitations. It is 



