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CHAPTER IV. 



WHIDAH-BIRD. Fringilla whida. 



This singularly plumaged and gracefully 

 formed bird, is a native of the kingdom of 

 Whidah, in Africa, from which it derives 

 its name. Through the solemn colour of 

 the songster and its rather melancholy 

 notes, its appellation is frequently changed 

 into "Widow," by the ignorant fancier, 

 who believes it to be constantly mourning 

 its lost mate. This idea gave birth in us 

 to the slight poem which accompanies this 

 description. 



To THE WHIDAH-BIRD. 



Bird of the dark and glancing wing! 



Whose home is Afric's burning strand, 

 With solemn accents sorrowing, 



Why mourn'st thou for thy native land? 

 And why with cadence sad and low, 

 And look, the heraldry of woe, 



