I I
2,36 Foreign Finches in Captivity.
The)- make a large, o\'al, globular nest, some 6 iuclies liigli and 8 or 9 inches in
breadth ; it is looseh' constructed of dr}' grass, usuall}^ the finer sorts, and lined with
the same. The entrance, •\\'hich is on one side, is small. The nests are placed in low
trees and shrubs, commonly in such as are well furnished with thorns. They la}' from
five to eight dead-white eggs.'
" To 1113' friend Miss Margaret Cockbnrn I am indebted for the following
charming account of the nidification of this species :—' The Spotted Munia is
migratory with ns, and onl)- appears in the Nilghiris during June and the fonr
following months.
" 'Thej ' return regularly to their own haunts, even to the same bushes in which
the}' built the previous season.
" ' Se%'eral pairs of these birds build in the trellis around our windo-\i'S, so near
the ground that I have often put ni_y finger into the nest and felt the eggs.
" ' I am perfectlj- sure that each pair takes possession of the same trellis in which
it built in previous j-ears, and that should the old nest remain where thejr left it, they
commence another alongside it; should, however, the old abode be removed, they will
build again on the exact site which it occupied,
" ' The great majorit}' migrate, as alreadj' mentioned, to the low cotintr}' du.ring
the cold season, and return -when the small grains, millets, and the like (cultivated so
abundantl)- by the hill-tribes), are just beginning to come into ear. I have, however,
observed one or two of these birds among flocks of Amadnvats during the month of
December.
" ' I have watched with great interest, year after year, these pretty friendl)' little
birds, and have very carefully noted their behaviour and habits. In selecting a place
to build on, thej' sit on a twig, and raising themselves as high as possible, flap their
wings over their backs to ascertain that no small branches are likely to obstruct the
progress of the building, thus appearing to be full}-- aware that their nest will occupy
a good deal of space. When, perfectly satisfied as to the convenience of the spot, the
female remains there while the male flies to a short distance, alights on the ground,
and breaking off a piece of fine long grass, flies back with it to the female, and
continues to bring her at least one piece every minute, while she carries on the
building process alone.
" ' The j ' begin early and build for an hour or so, and then leave it till evening
and work late, keeping up an incessant cry of ' Ki t ty, Kitt}', Kitty.'
" ' The nest is composed entirely of grass ; the entrance is at one side, a small
round hole, so small that two fingers can hardly be inserted. They build in Jul y and
August, and laj- from six to ten wdiite eggs, so l^eautifnlly translucent that the yolk is
The Spice Fiveh. 237
clearly seen through the shell. When the young are fully fledged they accompan>-
their parents to the grain-fields, but continue to return to their nests every evening
for a long time after they have left them entirely for the da}-.
" ' How the}' all manage to get in is wonderful ; the nest appears perfectly full,
and they seem to be restless and uncomfortable for some minutes after entering. In
the morning they fiy out one by one; those that go first wait for the others on a bush
close by ; when all are out, away the}' fly in a flock, and are not visible near their nest
during the rest of the day. At one time I couuted no less than fourteen nests of these
birds in the trellis of our verandah and windows ; besides these there were others in
the garden on orange-trees and scarlet geraniums, which latter here often grow to the
height of 6 and 8 feet. Natives frequently go to the nests of these birds during the
night, and suddenl}- shutting up the hole carr}- off the nest with all its contents, which
sometimes amount to twelve birds, parents and young included.
' [ have known instances of the Plouse-Sparrow taking possession of the Spotted
Munias' nests. They wait till the latter have finished building, and then (being much
bolder birds) drive the poor iMunias away, and, adding to the warmth of the nest by a
number of feathers, appropriate it to their own use. On oue occasion a pair of these
Munias had taken a fanc}- to the trellis at ni}' window. When their nest was
completed, an impertinent cock Sparrow seemed determined to take possession of it ;
but I ^vas equally determined he should not. After a good deal of trouble, the poor
owners were again the proprietors of their lawful abode. They appeared to be quite
aware that I was taking their part in the arbitration business, and would sit patientl}-
on a fuchsia bush close by till the case was decided. Sometimes one of their own
species would approach their building, but at these times I considered them quite able
to fight their own battles and merely looked on. They required no assistance, but
would sit close to their nest, cracking their mandibles to show how decidedly displeased
they were, This proceeding used often to have the eflFect of inducing their unwelcome
visitor to take his departure ; but if he did not think of going soon, they would fly at
him and use their bills to such purpose as to make him glad to be off.
" ' Y e t , notwithstanding that these little birds are so tenacious of their rights
-when invaded by their own species, they are easily intimidated by any strange and
\inexpected object. A few articles of furniture being placed under the trellis, which
contained several of their nests, so completely frightened the parents away at one time
that the}- left their helpless brood \vithout food, and would not xxturn even when the
objects of offence were removed. Of course the young, receiving no nourishment all
day, became fainter and fainter in their cries for food, and at last died.'
" Writing from Sooramungalum, in Salem, Mr. A. G. R. Theobald remarks :—
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