126 BIRD-KEEPER'S MANUAL. 



extends to the nape of the neck on both sides, 

 but does not meet; the plumage on the sides of 

 the head is short, and resembles black velvet. 

 There is little, if any, difference in plumage be- 

 tween the male and female. 



LOCATION. Found on the Island of Java and 

 in other parts of Asia. 



JAVA FINCH, OR SPARROW. 



This pretty little bird, although it does not 

 excel as a songster, cannot be surpassed in the 

 beauty of its plumage, nor the chaste delicacy of 

 its colors. The close compactness of its feathers 

 make its covering appear as if it was a solid sur- 

 face, and when it is sitting still you might almost 

 imagine that it was cut out of a fine, close-grain- 

 ed piece of wood, and then highly polished and 

 colored. They are also probably the neatest and 

 cleanest bird that ever was in a cage. I have 

 had thirty of these birds in a bamboo cage, which 

 I kept for some time. During the time I had 

 them I never saw them wash, (although I have 

 seen them wash since, but they wash but sel- 



