198 THE WAXBILL. 



72. THE JAVA SPAREOW, OR EICE BIRD. 



Loxia Orycivora, LIN. Padda ou Oiseau des Riz, BUF. Der Rets 

 Kernbeisser, BECH. 



Description. This bird, which is about the size of a Bullfinch, 

 is five inches long, of which the tail measures two. The beak 

 is thick, of a beautiful rose colour, which is lighter towards 

 the point ; the feet are the same, though of a paler hue. The 

 eyelids are naked, and edged with rose colour ; the head, 

 throat, and a stripe surrounding the white cheeks, are black. 

 The rump, the greater pen feathers, and the tail, are also 

 black ; the rest of the back, the breast, the wing coverts, and 

 the hinder pen feathers, dark ashen grey. The belly is purple 

 grey, and the vent white. 



The only distinction between males and females is, that the 

 latter are lighter on the back and belly. The young birds are 

 not only lighter, but irregularly spotted with dark brown on 

 the cheeks and the lower part of the belly. 



Observations. These birds are brought in great numbers by 

 ships from Java, and the Cape of Good Hope ; where, on ac- 

 count of the ravages they commit in the rice fields, they have as 

 bad a reputation as the Sparrows among ourselves. They are 

 prized only for their beauty. Their cry is " Tdk! Tak!" 

 Their song is very monotonous, and consists of two notes, 

 " Dirr ! Dirr! Dehi!" The first note is given with a humming 

 sound; the second is higher in the scale, and much more 

 clearly uttered. 



73. THE WAXBILL. 



Loxia Astrid, LIN. Le Senigaliraye, BUF. Der Gemeine Senegalist, 

 BECH. 



Description. This bird, which is four inches and three 

 quarters in length, is hardly so large as a Kedbreast. The 

 beak is bright red, and somewhat raised at the root. A bright 

 red stripe passes between the eyes ; and the middle of the 

 breast and belly is a beautiful reddish brown. The upper 

 parts of the body are brownish grey ; the lower parts fight 

 ashen grey ; everywhere traversed by very fine blackish wavy 

 lines, which give the plumage a peculiarly silky appearance. 

 The pen feathers and tail are brown ; the latter being wedge- 

 shaped, and covered with transverse dark brown stripes : the 

 feet are also brown. 



