THE AFRICAN SILVER-BILL. 201 



finches, and its manner of singing is precisely the same ; the neck is 

 elongated, the head projected rather downwards than upwards, the 

 mouth opened widely and emitting a faint humming sound, not audible 

 at all when other birds are singing. From the Silver-bills, which are 

 referred to the same genus, it not only differs in song, but in its 

 much more sedate behaviour ; it has none of the lateral tail-wagging, 

 and jerky skittishness, of the Silver-bills, but fairly earns its title of 

 Modest Grass-finch. 



Here, I think, we find a singular instance of inattention to habits 

 in the great German breeder, in that he places the Silver-bills, with 

 their shrill voices and Waxbill-like liveliness, among the Grass-finches 

 and Mannikins, yet places the Cherry Finch, having the true characteristic 

 habits of the Grass-finch, among the Waxbills, I place both in the 

 former group, because (as already explained) voice alone, or tail- 

 jerking alone, are not sufficient to set against similarity of structure. 

 Aidemosyne is an intermediate group, tending to link the Grass-finches 

 and Astrilds, but more nearly approaching the former than the latter. 

 If the Silver-bills looked up to heaven to utter their shrill song, I 

 should unhesitatingly declare that they were aberrant Waxbills ; but 

 they do nothing of the kind, therefore they must be regarded as 

 aberrant Grass-finches : thus far Dr. Russ is correct ; only, in my 

 judgment, he ought also to have added the Cherry Finch and 

 Bicheno's Finch to the same group. I was formerly inclined to think 

 that Pytelia and allies were Grass-finches rather than Astrilds, but am 

 now certain that they are better placed with the Waxbills. 



Illustration from living examples and skins in the author's 

 collection. 



THE AFRICAN SILVER-BILL. 



Aidemosyne cantans, GMEL. 



THIS near relative of the Indian species is very frequently imported, 

 and is cheap ; so that, as it resembles A. malabarica both in 

 general appearance and demeanour, it is a great favourite. In colouring 



