496 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
faded blackish brown, assuming a paler hue on the wings and lateral 
tail feathers. The whole body is tinged with this faded black, gradu- 
ally narrowing as it descends to the middle of the breast; a broad, 
rich orange-brown collar proceeds from the back of the neck, uniting 
with a tinge of the same colour on the sides of the breast, this last 
hue passing into pale buff colour on the body, abdomen, and thighs, 
the under tail coverts being of the same colour as the upper ones— 
a hue to which the bird is indebted for its popular and scientific 
name. ‘The tail feathers are black; the four lateral ones on each 
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Fig. 214.—Java Sparrows. 
side slightly graduated, and rather longer than the one immediately 
above. The next two are the long, drooping feathers, externally 
convex, so conspicuous in the male bird, which, in fine specimens, 
measure a foot in length from base, and about three-quarters of an 
inch in width. ‘The body of the bird is about the size of a Canary. 
They are natives of South Africa and Senegal. 
Near to the Whidah Birds we may place the Java Sparrow, of the 
Eastern Archipelago (Zoxia oryzivora, Fig. 214). They are eagerly 
sought for as pets, in consequence of their brilliant plumage and the 
facility with which they learn innumerable tricks. 
The Weaver Birds (P/oceus, Cuvier) close the series of Fringillide. 
