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CHAPTER Y. 



DENIZENS OF THE FOREST. 



THIS is a large group presenting divers forms, and 

 includes some of the loveliest as well as some of the 

 strangest of South African birds. 



In this chapter are included all the dwellers of forest 

 and bush, excepting those that find a place under more 

 special headings, such as " Friends of the Agriculturist," 

 " Bird Architects, &c." 



CANARIES AND SEEDEATERS. 



To the group belong most of the Family Fringillidce, 

 amongst which the majority of the native songsters are 

 found; as these birds are perhaps of more general 

 interest than any other in the group, we will treat of 

 them first. 



It is quite a common belief amongst Europeans fresh 

 from the old countries, that South Africa possesses no 

 song birds worthy the name. This is wholly incorrect, 

 for although there is no Skylark or Nightingale, South 

 Africa possesses quite an array of good songsters. 



The first, and probably favourite, songster of the 

 Family is the Cape Canary (Serinus canicollis), the male 

 of which is of a greenish-yellow colour on its upper 

 surface, with the rump regions of a brighter yellow and 

 the under surface of a golden yellow. The female is 



