[29]. Hypolais rama: Sykes’s Tree-warbler. (F. 394), (J. 553), (-I.)
This, too, is a dull-coloured little brownie bird. It visits India in great numbers in the winter, and is said to breed in Sind. In colouring it is much like the tailor bird, but it is more solidly built and has a narrow cream-coloured eyebrow. A little brown bird which is not the tailor bird, or one of the wren-warblers described below, is likely to be this species.
[30]. Prinia lepida: The Streaked Wren-warbler. (F. 462), (J. 550), (-I.)
Brown above and cream-coloured below. This little bird is easily distinguished from the other long-tailed wrens, by the fact that its upper plumage is streaked with dark brown. The brown tail shows cross bars. The tip of each tail feather is white and next to this is a black patch.
This bird is common in the Punjab and in Sind. It also occurs in Rajputana and in the valley of the Ganges.
It builds a neat ball-like nest with an entrance at the side. The nest is usually situated at a few inches from the ground. Several are to be found in April and May amid the wild indigo that grows on the Lahore golf links. The green eggs have a distinct ring of reddish dots at the thick end.
[31]. Prinia socialis: The Ashy Wren-warbler. (F. 464), (J. 534), (-I.)
Another “tiny brownie bird.” Ashy upper plumage with brown wings and tail, lower plumage cream-coloured. A very slender and loosely-knit bird. It is easily distinguished by the curious snapping noise it makes as it flits from bush to bush. How this noise is made we do not know. It sounds as though it were due to the upper and lower mandibles of the beak closing sharply together.
This species constructs two types of nests—one is like that of the Tailor Bird (No. [28]), the other is a ball-like woven structure with an entrance at the side. The nest is invariably placed near the ground. The eggs are mahogany red. Does not occur in the N.W. F. P.
[32]. Prinia inornata: The Indian Wren-warbler. This bird is known as the weaver-bird to boys who attend Indian schools. (F. 466), (J. 543), (-I.)