199 



GLOSSY BLACK BENGAL Y. 



Amadina miens, SWAINS. 



Entirely glossy blue-black ; inner wing-covers wihte ; the bill 

 and legs, pale flesh colour ; flanks with a concealed white 

 spot. 



Fringilla nitens, Linn., Vieill. Ency. MetTi. p. 955. Moineau 



du Brazil, Buffon, PI. Enl. 291, 1 and 2 Le Moineau 



Camba-jou, Vieill. Ois. Chant., pi. 21, Ency. Meth., p. 955. 



THE numerous vessels which trade with the natives 

 of Western Africa annually import, not only to 

 Europe, but to her American colonies, a great 

 number of the small singing birds of this tribe, 

 which are often to be met with in the houses of 

 the maritime ports of South America ; from whence, 

 again, it frequently happens they are transported to 

 Europe. It was probably owing to this well known 

 fact, that Buffon first described the bird before us 

 as a native of America, and the error was perpe- 

 tuated in all succeeding systems, until pointed out 

 by Yieillot, who does not appear, however, to be 

 aware of the manner in which it originated. We 

 know, from personal observation, that the Portu- 

 guese colonists are very fond of these little African 

 birds ; for they may be very frequently seen exposed 

 for sale at the different ports of South America. 



