A fine songster.
Cock: Upper plumage glossy black. Lower back white. Wings black and white. Lower plumage chestnut red.
Hen: Like the cock, save that the black is replaced by slaty brown and the reddish lower parts are much paler than in the cock.
Found only in thick jungle. (Illus. G. B., p. 40.)
The Weaver Birds, 70-73
Weaver birds are sparrow-like birds of gregarious habits. They build, or rather weave, wonderful flask-shaped or retort-shaped nests which hang from trees, the entrance being from below. They breed in the rains. Four species are found in India, these are:
[70]. Ploceus baya: The Baya, or Common Weaver Bird, or Bottle Bird. (F. 720), (J. 694), (I.)
At most seasons of the year the cock and hen are reddish-brown birds with a faint, fawn-coloured eyebrow, and look very like the hen house sparrow, having, like her, a thick bill. The hen baya retains this plumage throughout the year. In the hot weather, however, the head and neck of the cock become a beautiful golden yellow, as does the breast, and the chin turns almost black. In this plumage the cock baya is very easily recognised.
This species occurs in all parts of India except Bengal, Assam, and Burma. In these places it is replaced by an allied species ([71]). (Illus. F. II., p. 173; also B. B., p. 131.)
[71]. Ploceus megarhynchus: The Eastern Baya. (F. 721), (J. 694), (I.)