called at the Zoo the " Long-tailed Weaver-hivd,'' 

 and I have met with the names " Brown-shouldered 

 Whydah," and "Twelve-tailed Whydah," (the last 

 rather a good one.) 



A few Long-tailed Whydahs were imported about 

 ten 3^ears ago, and some were sold by the late 

 Mr. Abrahams at high prices. One or two were 

 exhibited at shows. They received an example at the 

 Zoo in 1870, and another in 1891. I do not remember 

 seeing the bird since 1894 or 1895.^ 



Though a very handsome bird, it is not very well 

 suited for either cage or aviary. Like all Whydahs it 

 is timid, and apt to dash madly about, and its large 

 size makes its wild flutterings more dan onerous to 

 itself and other birds than are those of the smaller 

 species. 



It is a common and striking species in all the 

 South African Colonies. Its great tail renders it 

 almost unable to fly in very wet or windy weather, 

 and it can then be caught without much difficult}'. 



* There was a .specimen in the Western Aviary at the Zoological 

 'Gardens last summer. See Vol. I., page 251.— J. A. S. 



