242 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 



short, and is dark brown, with orange edges. Tlie female 

 is like a hen sparrow in size and appearance, and the male 

 resembles her when he is out of colour. 



Crimson-Crowned Weaver. — In the breeding season the 

 head of the male is a bright red colour verging on crimson ; 

 the rest of the body is brownish, with dark centres to every 

 feather ; the legs and feet are flesh-colour. 



Black-Bellied Weaver. — This species has a large 

 greyish flesh-coloured bill, black face, throat, lower breast 

 and belly, a brownish back and wings, and the top of the 

 head, nape, neck, and upper breast scarlet. 



There are many otlier different kinds of weaver birds in 

 Africa and its geographical dependencies ; but even the 

 most curtailed description of them would occupy more space 

 than can be spared. They are all fairl}'' hardy, but cannot 

 stand much frost, and should not be exposed to it. They 

 feed on white millet and canary seed, and most of the males 

 are indefatigable nest-builders, but not so the females, which 

 I'arely breed in confinement. 



THE FINCHES. 



This group is numerously represented in Africa, the 

 original home of the domesticated canary and its off'shoots, 

 but we can only glance at a few of the more familiar 

 species. 



Family — Fn'ngillidce. 



Genus — 1. Passes P. httciis. Yellow Sparrow. 



P. simplex. Grey-heade J Sparrow. 



P. alario. Alario Finch. 



P. diffiisus. Black-breasted Spar- 

 row. 



