IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 213 



(63) THE COMMON WEAVEK-BIBD. 



(PLOCEUS BKYK—Blyth.) 



Hindi and Bengali — Bay a or Babai. 



Hab. — The common weaver-bird is found throughout the whole of 



India, extending to Assam, Burmah, Ceylon and Malayana. Although 



a permanent resident in most parts of India, it is somewhat migratory 



in its habits, so that it has been known to desert a particular locality 



which it frequented for years ; its wanderings, however, are confined 



within a comparatively limited area. 



(64) THE BLACK-THROATED WEAVEE-BIED. 

 (PLOCEUS BEJSTGALENSIS— {Linn.) ) 

 Bengali — Kantamala baya (i.e., necklaced baya.) 

 ^6 —Different parts of Lower Bengal, extending to Assam, 

 Tipperah, and parts of Burmah ; it is less common about Calcutta and 

 its neighbourhood than the preceding species ; the contrary appears to be 

 the case with regard to Eastern Bengal, where this species is more plenti- 

 ful than the common baya. 



Length or life in captivity. 



Both the bayas, especially the common weaver-birds, bear captivity 

 well. 



Treatment in health. 



Housing. — These birds are easy to accommodate ; as a rule, they 

 should be placed in a large aviary or in an extensive cage ; to give them 

 occupation and amusement tufts of jute, bundles of hay or palm-leaves 

 should be provided; the common weaver-birds are not unfrequently, 

 caged and tamed. 



Food. — Consists principally of various kinds of seeds, but in captivity, 

 and especially when caged and tamed, they learn to eat other things. 



Breeding, — The common weaver-birds have, on one or two occa- 

 sions, been known to build, or at least to attempt doing so, within their 

 prison, but without success ; this appeared to have been due chiefly to 

 the presence of other birds, which destroyed the nests as often as 

 begun. For further information on this subject, " Jerdon's Birds of 

 India," volume II, page 343, and " Hume's Nests and Eggs," volume 

 II, page 114, may be consulted. 



(65) THE CEIMSON-CEOWNED WEAVEE-BIED. 



(EUPLECTES FLAMMICEPS-flwwiA.) 



The golden-yellow colour of the head disappears altogether during 

 the period of moult, which is rather prolonged, lasting from three to four 

 months. 



