THE BIRDS OF AFRICA. 24I 



birds have four long feathers on the tail, and others only- 

 two. In the aviary this little bird is apt to be quarrelsome. 



Feeding and treatment as the last. • 



Red-Chested Whydah Bird. — In his nuptial dress this 

 bird is jetty black, with a metallic gloss all over the body, 

 except a broad collar, of a deep red colour, on the lower 

 part of the front of the neck. It is rarely imported into 

 England, but appears to require the same treatment as the 

 two preceding species. It is found in South and Eastern 

 Africa. 



Long-Tailed Weaver Bird. — The largest of all the 

 family, this grand bird is indifferently known as whydah 

 and weaver. It is about the size of a starling, and in con- 

 figuration and colouring bears a strange resemblance to the 

 paradise whydah, for whose " big brother " it might readily 

 pass ; but there is no doubt that the two species are quite 

 distinct. 



Shining Weaver Bird. — This bird is jetty black, with 

 metallic blue retlections, and a wlnte bill. The female re- 

 sembles a hen sparrow, than which it is a little smaller. It 

 is found in South and Eastern Africa. The tail is short. 



Food same as the preceding. 



Yellow-Backed Whydah Bird. — The general colour of 

 this bird is black, except the wing coverts, which are 

 yellow ; the bill and legs and feet are dark lead colour. 

 The size of the bird is that of a well-grown sparrow ; the 

 tail is about as long as the body, or a little longer. The 

 female has a reddish brown bill. 



Grenadier Weaver. — This bird is also known as the 



orj'x and the oryx bishop ; in colour the bill is yellowish 



horn ; the head and face black, which is also the colour of 



the lower breast and belly ; the wings are brown, and the 



rest of the plumage rich orange red, with a yellow or golden 



tinge ; the legs and feet are flesh-colour. The tail is very 



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