100 Mr. J. C. Melliss on the Birds of St. Helena. 



must add that I have not been able to spend much time in 

 searching for them. 



In the list which follows, the indigenous birds are distin- 

 guished by their scientific names being printed in capital letters, 

 and the local names are included within inverted commas. The 

 notes on the species which have been introduced include the 

 name of their chief habitat. 



Estrelda astrild (L.). "Aberdevat/^ Hab. South Africa. 



This is one of the most abundant field-birds in the Island, 

 and may be seen in flights of a hundred or more at a time, es- 

 pecially in the neighbourhood of hay-fields as the grass-seed is 

 ripening ; it is by no means a timid bird, but behaves much 

 like the common English Sparrow in frequenting the doors of 

 country houses in order to pick up crumbs and the like. It 

 builds its nest in high trees, generally preferring the Scotch fir 

 and Botany-Bay willow {Acacia longifolia), and consequently 

 suffers much by high winds blowing the nests down ; the nest 

 is spherical in form, about seven inches in diameter, with an 

 almost closed tubular entrance on one side, and is generally 

 built of gi'ass and feathers, lined with cotton or wool. 



These birds are caught in large numbers, and a small trade 

 carried on in them between the natives and ships calling at the 

 island ; they are sold at three or four shillings a dozen, accord- 

 ing to the demand for them. 



Padda oryzivora (Linn.). " Java Sparrow.''' Hab. Java. 



A tolerably abundant bird, inhabiting the low rocky lands 

 on the northern side of the Island, where they are frequently 

 seen hopping about in pairs ; but they are seen in flights in the 

 interior when the corn is ripening. It is not many years since 

 this bird was introduced. It appears to thrive well and to be 

 increasing in numbers. 



Vidua paradisea (Lmxi.). "Widow Bird.'' //aZ*. West Africa. 

 Imported as a cage-bird from the west coast of Africa. It is 

 said the species does not exist at Whydah. 



Euplectes madagascariensis (Linn.). " Cardinal." Hab. 

 Madagascar, Mauritius. 



A common field-bird in St. Helena, where it may be seen 



