The Weaver Family. 115 



It is said that this species has been bred in con- 

 finement ; but the assertion is doubted by Mr. Wiener, 

 nor have I seen any indication in specimens that 

 have come under my notice at different times that 

 would lead me to the conclusion that the Pin-tailed 

 Whydah would be induced to nest and rear its brood 

 in this country. 



THE YELLOW-BACKED WHYDAH, Coliopasser ma- 

 j or, according to Dr. Russ, Vidua macroura, 



is a much larger bird than either of the preceding, 

 attaining the size of a full-grown cock sparrow 



2dmg, 

 r. It 



FIG. 38. THE COMBASSOU. 



is a very beautiful creature, clothed in velvety-black 

 as to the greater portion of its plumage during the 

 nuptial season, but the shoulders are golden yellow, 

 and the centres of the wing-coverts a dark shade of 

 the same colour ; the bill is bluish-grey, the lower 

 mandible being of a lighter tint than the upper; the 

 legs and feet are dark lead-colour. The female is 

 light grey on the back, with dark brown wings and 

 tail. On the back and shoulders each feather has a 

 narrow yellow edge, and the breast is greyish-white. 



I 2 



