556 Mr. W. Jesse on the 
commenced building their nests in a large jungle of sar- 
patta grass_, which was then surrounded by, and standing in, 
water, the overflow of the river. Soon afterwards the river 
fell, leaving the jungle high and dry, and nesting operations 
immediately ceased. In only two nests did I afterwards 
find eggs — three in each ; the average measurement of the 
six being 'Sl^^x '59" — the largest measuring '84" x "Gl" and 
the smallest •7S"x'0&'.'' 
Coming down the Oudh and E/ahilkund Railway, near 
Bareillv on the LucknoAV side, I once saw a number of 
nests, presumably of this species^ in the long patowal or 
sarpatta grass. 
No. 726. MuNiA ATRicAPiLLA. Ckestnut-bellied Munia. 
Nakal-nor [H.] . 
Not common, though Reid recorded it as being a permanent 
resident. The bird-catchers always have a good number of 
examples, though whether they are all caught in Lucknow I 
rather doubt. Like other Munias, it is chiefly to be seen in 
the long sarpatta grass, feeding on the seeds. 
No. 734. Uroloncha malabarica. White-throated Munia. 
Chiraka [H. and Anglo-Indian boys]. 
The Chiruka is very common and a permanent res ident, 
being found everywhere. It makes a rather untidy globular 
nest of grass and a few feathers, having a hole at the side. 
The eggs are white, five to seven in number ; but, where two 
hens, or more, join forces (as not infrequently happens), quite 
a collection may be found. The nests are usually in thorny 
bushes or quick-set hedges, but on two or three occasions I 
have found them underneath those of Aquila vindhiana. 
On one occasion the Eagle was sitting on two eggs, and not 
three inches below her was a Chiruka on three. 
Average of 23 Luclinow eggs 'bd" X '-46" 
Measurement of largest q^^ '63" x "48" 
„ smallest e^f^ •57" x "44" 
No. 735. Uroloncha punctulata. Spotted Munia. 
Seena-baz, Sing-baz [H.]. 
Not nearly so common as U. malabaricay but still fairly 
