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The nest of the amadavat is large for the size of the bird, being a loosely-woven cup, which is egg-shaped and has a hole at or near the narrow end.

The "rains" breeding season of the amadavats or red munias is now over, and the bird-catcher issues forth to snare them.

His stock-in-trade consists of some seed and two or three amadavats in one of the pyramid-shaped wicker cages that can be purchased for a few annas in any bazaar.

The cheerful little lals inside the cage soon begin to twitter and sing, and their calls attract the wild amadavats in the vicinity.

Some of the amadavats build nests in June, but the great majority breed during the winter months.