PERCHTNfi-T?IRI1S. 131 



of Jamaica and other allied species build tlieiv domed nests in low trees 

 or bushes where wasps have constructed tlieir paper nests. The object 

 of the bird is evidently to secure a position rendered safe from intruders 

 by the presence of these formiilable insects, with whom a league of 

 amity is established. 



I'amily XXXIW TAXAOiiinr. Tanaokhs. 



Tliesc bi'illiantly coloui'cd niuc-priniarie(l birds oC the New World [CnsoSO.] 

 are closely related to the Finches, but may generally be distinguished 

 hv possessing a notch towards the cud of th(> up))er maudiljle. Some are, 

 however, very closely related to the Finches, others to the ('wrchli/tf and 

 Mn'iotilt'idie. About tln-echuudrcd and fifty species arc recognised, many 

 of which arc well known on account of their gorgeous plumage, remark- 

 able even among the richly coloured birds of South America. The 

 most striking Forms belong to the genera C/i/nroi'/iri/sn (2534-5), 

 Cd/liste (2543-53), «/''/m/'/"'(VP^^s' (2561 ), and /V««^" ( 2565-7) ; some 

 of which arc fi('(jucntiy imported as cage birds into iMirope. 



Family XXX\'. Ploceid.*:. Weaver-Finchks. 



The Weaver-Birds are nearly related to the Finches, ])ut maybe [CaseSl.] 

 distinguished by possessing ten primary quills. They form a somewhat 

 numerous family of brigiitly coloured birds, distributed over the Afiican, 

 Indian, and Australian regions. Tlie trivial name is derived from the 

 skill shown by the typical members of the family in weaving their 

 remarkable nests, which are most ingeniously calculated to ensure the 

 safety of their young. Nnmcrous examples of their architecture will be 

 found exhibited in the case. Alauy species liavc two seasonal plumages, 

 a fact which is especially noticeable in the males. In winter they are 

 mostly dull-coloured and striped with brown, but in the breeding- 

 season they are richly coloured, as in the species of Heter/ii/p/iantcs 

 (2636), Hijp/ia/i/oniis (2638-40), and P/«m/* (2641 ), while some develop 

 long ornamental tail-feathers [I'enthclri'i (2585), Cherti (2586), and 

 Vidua (2584)). 



Two subfamilies are recognized, the Vidithuo, in which the first 

 primary is very small and falcate, and the F/nceiiKP, with the first 

 primary large and obtuse. 



To the first section belong the Viduas or Whydah-birds {Viiliia priii- 

 cijxiUs (2584) and Client prnyae (2586)), remarkable for their habit of 

 soaring during the breeding-season. Rising to a considerable height, 

 they hover in the aii', with long arched tail and flapping wings, and 

 presently descend with great velocity. With these are associated many 

 well-known and attractive smaller forms frequently kept as cage-birds, 



