igS BIRDS 



The Three-colored Mannikin {Munia malacca) 

 comes from southern India and Ceylon. The upper parts 

 are chestnut, the head, breast and center of the abdomen 

 are black, and the remainder of the underparts are white. 

 The Black-headed Mannikin {M. atricapilla) is simi- 

 lar, but lacks the white. 



The White-headed Mannikin (Munia maja), of the 

 Sunda Islands, has the head white, shading to buff and 

 then to chestnut, which covers most of the upper parts. 

 The central tail feathers are rufous and the abdomen black. 



The Spice Mannikin (Munia punctulata) is another 

 Indian species. It is chocolate above and on the chest, the 

 abdomen being white with black edgings. 



All of the Mannikins, which are known among dealers 

 as " Nuns," are hardy and easily kept in captivity. They 

 are always, in good condition, the only trouble being with 

 the claws, which require frequent trimming. The sexes 

 are usually difficult to distinguish, but if two birds are 

 carefully compared, the shape and size of the beak will 

 often furnish a clue, that of the male being heavier than' 

 that of his mate. 



The African Silver-bill {Aidemosyne cantons) is 

 light brown above and slightly paler below, the wings and 

 tail being black and the abdomen white. The Indian 

 Silver-bill (A. malabarica) is pale brown above and 

 nearly white below. The lower back is white, furnishing 

 a good distinguishing mark, and the wings and tail are 

 black. The females of both species are somewhat smaller 

 and duller than the males. The Silver-bills are dull-colored 

 little birds, but they have rather pleasing songs. They 

 are quiet in demeanor and easily kept. 



The Bengalee or " Japanese Nun " is a domesticated 

 breed, produced by crossing the species of Uroloncha, but 

 just which is veiled in mystery. The Japanese are given 



