260 F. Finn — Notes on the Ploceidse. [No. 4, 



Notes on the Ploceidse. — By F. Finn, B.A , F.Z.S., Deputy Superinten- 

 dent of the Indian Museum. 



[Received November 29th 5 Read December 6th, 1899.] 



1. Ploceus rutledgii, Finn, the summer plumage of Floceus megarhynchus, 



Hume. 



2. On the interbreeding of certain species of Munia. 



3. An attempt at a natural subdivision of the Ploceiae Finches. 



4. Some experiments on Sexual Selection in the Avadavat. 



1. Ploceds rutledgii, the summer plumage op p. megarhynghus. 



In the Proceedings of the Asiatic Society for July 1899, p. 77, will 

 be found the diagnosis of an Indian species of Weaver-bird which I 

 there named, believing it to be new, Ploceus rutledgii, after .Mr. W. 

 Rutledge, from whom the types were obtained. Mr. Rutledge would 

 not sell the birds until assured that tliey would not be killed, and I am 

 glad to say that his liumanity has been justified by a very interesting 

 occurrence. The birds, being kept alive, have in due course assumed 

 an undress plumage very similar to tliat of the ordinary Bayas (P. haya 

 and P. atrigula) but differing from this in most of tlie points which Mr. 

 Hume pointed out as distinctive of his P. megarhynchtis. As they also 

 agree closely with this form in measurements, and were obtained from 

 Nynee Tal (the types of P. megarhynchus having come from Kaladoongi, 

 below that place) it seems to me obvious that my P. rutledgii is merely 

 the summer plumage of that species, hitherto unknown, no doubt, by 

 reason of the unhealthiness of its Terai habitat in the season when the 

 birds are in full feather. Under the circumstances the promised plate 

 seems to me unnecessary, and therefore I merely append below a 

 description of this summer or breeding-plumage. 



General colour bright yellow (brightest on head and dull and 

 impure on rump), with the following exceptions ; — lores, round the eye 

 below and ear-coverts, dark brown ; a dull-black patch on each side o£ 

 the breast before the shoulder ; nape and hind neck, dull blackish brown ; 

 upper back, wings, and tail blackish brown, each feather edged, entirely 

 or externally, with light brown, on the uppermost part of the back 

 with yellow ; under wing-coverts dirty white. 



Iris bright light brown ; bill black, fleshy-white at base ; feet dark 

 brownish fleshy, claws blackish horny. 



Both specimens, as noted in P.A.S.B. (loc. cit.) were similar, but 

 one was slightly duller than the other. It is also slenderer in make, 

 though quite as long, and has never sung or attempted to weave, even 

 ■when separated from its fellow, which continually uttered, when " in 



