356 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



This species occurs only, that I have observed, in Wynaad and 

 Coorg ; but most probably may be found all along the crest of 

 the Western Ghats. I found it associating in small flocks, in bushy 

 and jungly ground near rice fields. 



A nearly allied species M. Keloarti Blyth, occurs in Ceylon, 

 with the lower parts, from the breast, mottled black and dull 

 white. 



The three next species have the tail feathers successively more 

 elongated. 



701. Munia striata, Linnaeus. 



Loxia, apud Linnaeus — Blyth, Cat. 628 — Horsf., Cat. 779 — 

 Fringilla leuconota, Temm. PI. Col. 500, f. 1 — Sykes, Cat. Ill — 

 Jerdon, Cat, 173 — Shakuri munia, Beng. 



The WHiTii-BACKED Munia. 



Descr. — Plumage above rich dark brown, deepest on the head, 

 and the feathers white shafted ; rump white; tail almost black; 

 beneath from chin to breast uniform deep blackish brown ; belly, 

 flanks and vent white ; under tail-coverts and thigh-coverts brown. 



Bill bluish ; legs dark slaty ; hides brown. Length 4^ inches; 

 wing 2j 1 q-, tail If. The middle tail feathers exceed the outermost 

 by nearly half an inch. 



This species is- most abundant in the Malabar coast, where it is 

 occasionally to be seen in vast flocks feeding in the rice fields. It 

 also occurs sparingly in other parts of India, in the Northern 

 Circars, in lower Bengal, Arrakan, and Ceylon ; but is replaced in 

 the lower Himalayas, and throughout the Burmese province, by the 

 next species. It is also stated to occur in Java. 



In Malabar it is a familiar bird, being constantly seen on the 

 road side, about houses, and in stable yards ; and it builds in 

 gardens and orchards, solitarily, making a large loosely constructed 

 nest of grass, and laying four or five white eggs during the rains. 



702. Munia acuticauda, Hodgson. 



As. Ees. XIX. 153— Horsf., Cat, 778— M. molucca, apud 

 Blyth, Cat. 626 — Samprek-pho, Lepch. ZJamprek, Bhot. 



