flower, and resorting to the kurrucan clearings In the Peak forest and Kuk- 
kul Korale, where it gorges itself with the grain of that plant. I have 
noticed it in the early mornings about the outhouses at Newera Ellia, pick¬ 
ing like sparrows on dung heaps and rubbish, and Mr Holdsworth likewise ob- 
served it feeding there on the roads, like sparrows, on whatever it could 
find. When not feeding it is both shy and restless. During a sojourn in 
the Peak forests I observed that its appetite was satisfied at an early nour 
in the evening, and that it then commenced to roam abo.ut and settle on uead 
trees, coming home from its feeding grounds one by one, and appearing to tale 
some pains t<t> secure a good roosting place, 
NIDIPICATION 
The Newera Ellia Pinch breeds from May till September, nesting often in 
the upper branches of lofty umbrageous trees, at other times in coffee ana 
other low bushes, as well as in the creepers trained up the verandahs of bun¬ 
galows on the estates. 
Mr Bllgh has informed me that he has known a pair take possession of a 
Bulbul’s nest, from which the'rightful "owner had been driven, and construct 
therin a nest of tmeir own. I noticed with regard to a pair breeding in 
that gentleman’s verandah at Cattony that the female was a very close sitter 
and returned to her nest shortly after being disturbed. This was in May, 
and in July following Mr Bllgh writes me - 8 0n the 16th I saw the Munia fly 
out of the old nest in the verandah, and when I put my finger in the nest I 
found two eggs in it; the old bird was then sitting on them. I think it 
worth recording that they lay so soon after having reared their first brood. 
I noticed that occasionally the young and old returned to the nest to sleep; 
they did not make a practice of it; it seems to be only when they take it 
into their heads to do so, or it may be that the old birds are thinking of 
another brood, and b%in to visit the nest for that purpose, and tolerate tie 
presence of the first brood while they are still young 8 . 
The nest is made of grass, usually globular in shape; it is compact, and 
has rather a neatly rounded entrance* The egg cavity is deep and round, 
lined with fine grass. 
The eggs are pointed ovals, pure white and glossy in texture. They mea¬ 
sure from .65 to .68 inches- in length, and .44 to .46 in breadth. 
The figure on the branch in the drawing is that of a specimen shot in the 
Peak forest. 
