. Reptiles and birds. A popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting. . sts now are of opinion that suchis not the case. The Whidah Birds, of which the Vidua paradisea (Fig. 213) isthe best known, are among the most remarkable of the hard-billed,.seed-eating birds to which they belong. The long, drooping tail-feathers which adorn the males in the breeding season give thema very singular appearance. The upper part of their plumage is of a 496 REPTILES AND BIRDS. faded blackish brown, assuming a paler hue on the wings and lateraltail
. Reptiles and birds. A popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting. . sts now are of opinion that suchis not the case. The Whidah Birds, of which the Vidua paradisea (Fig. 213) isthe best known, are among the most remarkable of the hard-billed,.seed-eating birds to which they belong. The long, drooping tail-feathers which adorn the males in the breeding season give thema very singular appearance. The upper part of their plumage is of a 496 REPTILES AND BIRDS. faded blackish brown, assuming a paler hue on the wings and lateraltail feathers, The whole body is tinged with this faded black, gradu-ally narrowing as it descends to the middle of the breast; a broad,rich orange-brown collar proceeds from the back of the neck, unitingwith a tinge of the same colour on the sides of the breast, this lasthue passing into pale buff colour on the body, abdomen, and thighs,the under tail coverts being of the same colour as the upper ones—a hue to which the bird is indebted for its popular and scientificname. The tail feathers are black; the four lateral ones on each. Fig. 214.—Java Sparrows. side slightly graduated, and rather longer than the one immediatelyabove. The next two are the long, drooping feathers, externallyconvex, so conspicuous in the male bird, which, in fine specimens,measure a foot in length from base, and about three-quarters of aninch in width. The body of the bird is about the size of a are natives of South Africa and Senegal. Near to the Whidah Birds we may place the Java Sparrow, of theEastern Archipelago [Loxia oryzivora, Fig. 214). They are eagerlysought for as pets, in consequence of their brilliant plumage and thefacility with which they learn innumerable tricks. The Weaver Birds {Floceus, Cuvier) close the series of Fringillidce. THE BUNTINGS. 49/ They live in flocks in the interior of Africa, where they feed on thecereals and the young of weaker birds. They chirp, but have
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