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The Spotted Munia (Lonchura punctulata) is about 4½ inches long,
which means that it is slightly smaller than a sparrow. The breeding
plumage, by far the more attractive, consists of chocolate-brown upper
parts, as well as a dark brown lower plumage spotted with white and
brown. The bill is thick and conical, the tail short. If feeds in large flocks,
mainly on grass seeds, in open or cultivated country, and is distributed all
over the State. The nests, which are in colonies on trees, are globular
structures of plant fibers. The bird has been recorded from Salsette Island,
Thana, Kolaba, and Ratnagiri.
The Indian Red Munia (Amandava amandava) 4 inches in length, also
a popular cage bird, is slightly smaller than the previous species. In
breeding plumage, the male is deep crimson with white spots and
completely white breast and flanks. The female and the non-breeding
Birds male are brownish with a crimson rump. According to authoritative
sources, the species is rare in the Deccan, but has been recorded from
Salsette Island.
Family Fringillidae :This is divided into the subfamilies Fringillinae
(Chaffinches) and Carduelinae (Goldfinches and allied species). In all
there are some 61 fringillid birds in India, only one specimen, however,
being recorded in Maharashtra. This is the Common Rosefinch
(Carpodacus erythrinus) 5 inches in length, belonging as is evident from
the name, to the latter of the two families. It resembles the sparrow in
build; its beak, however, is stouter and the tail forked. During the breeding
season the male has a dull crimson head, breast and back. The female is
brownish. The birds are seen in flocks, and are winter migrants which
seem particularly attracted to the hilly forest tracks all over the State. The
food comprises of berries, seeds, shoots and buds. There are records of this
rosefinch from Salsette Island, Kolaba and Satara.
Family Emberizidae :This family, the buntings, is a large group of
small birds distributed over a great area of the world. A characteristic
feature is their conical and sharply pointed beaks, with the upper mandible
nearly straight, and a small hard process on the palate. These birds are
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