168 THE TV^HIDAH BIRD. 



the other two are shorter, considerably broader, and each terminate 

 in a slender thread. 



Pne ivi?iter plumage is entirely different from the above. The four 

 long tail-feathers fall off: the head is varied with black and white: 

 the breast is black; and the upper wing coverts are dirty yellow. 

 The feathers of the tail and wings are dark brown ; and those of the 

 under part of the body are white. 



In the kingdom of Angola, on the western coast of Africa, and in 

 ihe country around Mosambique, on the eastern coast of that quarter 

 of the world, these birds are found in great numbers. They are some- 

 what larger than a Sparrow, and subsist on seeds of various kinds. 



It is a remarkable fact, that the Whidah Birds have in winter a 

 plumage entirely different from that by which they are distinguished 

 d uring the summer ; and that even their most characteristic feathers 

 are every year shed, without being renewed for several months. When 

 the birds are brought into northern climates, this change generally 

 takes place about the beginning of November. Their winter plumage 

 continues till the spring ; and the tail-feathers are not again completed 

 till the end of June or the beginning of July. The color of the beak 

 and legs, the former blackish and the latter flesh-colored, is perma- 

 nent. 



In the month of May, 1820, Mr. Carlisle favored me with the fol- 

 lowing account of a bird of this species, which I have often seen in 

 his possession : " The habits and manners of my Whidah Bird have 

 proved both entertaining and instructive. It has been my constant 

 companion for more than five years, and our mutual good understand- 

 ing has increased every day. As an intelligent creature, it readily 

 distinguishes me from other persons, and never fails to show its 

 preferable attachment, by a little note and by fluttering towards the 

 nearest side of the cage, on my entering and leaving the room. 

 When clad in its black and orange plumage, and ornamented with its 

 long and crested tail-feathers, it sings much like the warble of the 

 House-Swallow, and, during its song, it shakes its head rapidly side- 

 ways, looking steadily at me as if to attract my regard. It then, as if 

 in a state of ecstacy, jumps quickly from perch to perch, rattling its 

 tail with a noise somewhat resembling that which is made by the 

 Rattlesnake. When it wants fresh water, sand, or food, it taps quickly 

 with its beak against the cage, until it attracts my notice. Its only 

 food is canary-seed. I have observed that, on first uncovering its cage 

 it begins to stretch out its legs and wings, then it hops down to sip 

 vvater, afterwards it eats for about half an hour, picks some sand, and 

 then carefully prunes its feathers. In its ordinary plumage this bird 

 nearly resembles the Reed-Sparrow ; and so complete is its change, 

 that not one of the former feathers, remain after either of the two 

 moultings. These raoultings take place half yearly, and the shedding 

 of its principal tail-feathers, has been, for five autumns, within three 

 days of the same date in each year. 



"As the claws of confined birds grow inconveniently long, I have 

 generally found it expedient to clip those of my bird twice a year, 

 and this process was at first attended with anger; but lately the 



