Zbc Xong^taile& Mbvbab. 



By RANDOI.PH QUIN. 



~His handsome South African Wh3^dah, 

 Chera proc?ie, is described by Dr. Butler 

 as follows : — " When in colour the male 

 i|X;^^^ I ^^^^^^ ^^ gloss}^ black, the underparts 

 it.^fe>-^<^?^l| having the appearance of watered silk : 

 a large patch of brilliant scarlet covers the lesser 

 wing-coverts, the medium coverts being yellowish 

 white, the greater coverts and flights edged with 

 white or pale brown, but the primaries only near the 

 end of the outer web : the legs and beak are dull red, 

 iris brown. Length, including the tail, usually 

 averaging igi^ inches, though specimens sometimes 

 occur in which the tail alone attains a length of i8 

 inches ; probably only in very old birds." This 

 description, together with the excellent drawing by 

 Miss Brooksbank, here reproduced, should enable the 

 reader to form a good idea of the bird. 



The female, and the male in winter plumage, 

 present the sparrow-like appearance of Whydahs out 

 of colour. 



In its native land this species isknov^n by various 

 names, such as Kaffir King, Kafhr Chief, Kaffir Fink, 

 Sackabuller, and Long-tailed 



Widow-bird. It is 



