Descriptive List of the Common Birds 
The Muntas, 74-79 
Munias are diminutive birds, considerably 
smaller than the sparrow, characterised by 
very thick bills. Except when breeding they 
usually go about in flocks. The nest, which 
is rarely situated at any great distance from 
the ground, is a large, ball-like structure, 
having an entrance at the side. The eggs are 
white. 
74. Munia malacca: ‘The Black-headed 
Munia. (F. 725), (J. 697), (-I.) 
Head and breast black, back wings and tail 
rich chestnut, tinged with maroon. Abdomen 
white, rest of lower plumage black. Bill very 
pale slate colour. 
This handsome species is confined to S. 
India ; in the north it is replaced by a closely 
allied species (75). 
75. Munia atricapilla: The Chestnut-bel- 
lied Munia. (F. 726), (J. 698), (- I.) 
This differs from 74 only in having the 
abdomen chestnut instead of white. 
76. Uroloncha malabarica: The White- 
throated Munia (called the Chiruka in N. 
India). (F. 734), (J. 703), (- 1) 
Jerdon’s name for this bird—the Plain 
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