1840.] of the Peninsula of India. 27 



173.—- S. leuconota.—F. leuconota, Temra,, P. C. 500-1. -Zoo?, striata, 

 Lath. ? — White ramped Finch. 



I have only hitherto observed this sppcies in the Malabar 

 coast, and the Wynaad, frequenting grain-fields, open spaces in 

 the jungle, and occasionally seen on the road-side, and even 

 in stable yards, feeding on various kinds of grain and seeds. 

 It lives in small flocks of six, eight or more. Irides dark brown; 

 bill and legs, slate blue. Length 4 T Vths ; wing 2 T Vth ; tail l T yhs ; 

 tarsus ^iths ; bill to front T * 7 ths. 



174.— S. Malacca.— Loxia Malacca, Auct. ?— Nukl-nore, H.- Black- 

 headed Finch. 



The nukl-nore so nearly approaches the description of the Loxia Ma- 

 lacca of authors, that I shall here consider it as the same. I have seen 

 this bird in the Carnatic, frequenting long reeds and grass, by the side 

 of rivers, in the table land in similar situations, though more rare, and 

 most numerous in the wooded region of the west coast, frequenting grain- 

 fields in large flocks along with the last species. 



I shall here add a brief description. Male,— head, neck and breast of 

 a rich black ; body above of a chestnut brown ; the upper tail coverts 

 of a brighter tinge, and with a glistening lustre, as in 5. nisoria, belly 

 white with large central spot and vent black ; bill bluish at base, 

 yellowish at tip ; legs plumbeous. Length 4| ; wing Sixths ; tail 1 

 tV ds 5 tarsus |iths; bill at front J*i.rhs. Irides dark brown. Female— 

 or young ?— above of a pale cinnamon brown, darkest on the head; 

 beneath rufous white, darkest on throat and ntck. 



175.— S. cheet.—Lonchura cheet, Sykes.—Piddcree, H.— Small brown 

 Finch. 



This plain coloured little finch is found all over the peninsula, 

 living in families, and frequenting hedges, low trees in cultivated 

 ground, and low bushes on the open plain, or by a river side. It fre- 

 quently enters gardens, and feeds on various kinds of seeds. Colonel 

 Sykes describes its nest as being formed of grass, in the shape of a 

 hollow ball, and that he found in one nest ten white eggs, not much 

 larger than peas. Irides deep brown ; bill bluish ; legs dirty reddish. 

 Length about 5 inches ; tail 2. 



