164 



cassell's book of birds. 



bird is four and a quarter inches in length, the breadth across the wings six and a quarter inches, the 

 length of the wing is one inch and five-sixths, and of the tail one inch and three-quarters. 



The Butterfly Finch inhabits the greater part of the continent of Africa, flying over the country 

 in small parties, that rarely become much increased. The nest, which is seen both during the rainy 

 and dry seasons, is placed upon a low bush, and resembles a rough bundle of hay rather than a cradle 

 for the young. The eggs, from four to seven in number, are long and of a brilliant white. We are 

 told that this species will occasionally steal into a Weaver Bird's nest to deposit its eggs, but cannot 

 speak positively as to the truth of the statement. This elegant Finch, better known upon the Conti- 



THE pheasant FINCH {Astrilda undulala). 



nent as " Cordon Bleu" is lively and restless in its habits, and the attachment testified by one little 

 mate for the other renders them extremely attractive when caged. The only care necessary for 

 their successful rearing is to keep them constantly in a warm atmosphere. 



Next in order to the preceding we place the ASTRILDS (Astrilda), as closely resembling them 

 in many particulars, the body being slender and the tail wedge-shaped ; but the beak, although almost 

 as high and broad as it is long, rises with a decided curve towards the brow. The plumage is very silky, 

 delicately coloured, and marked with a series of undulating lines. Europeans are familiar with two 

 species of this group — the Grey Astrild (Astrilda cinerea), and the Pheasant Finch (Astrilda 

 undulatd). The coat of the former is brownish grey, lighter upon the lower part of the body, or 

 almost imperceptibly shaded with dark wave-like markings ; the tail is white, and its exterior feathers 

 white upon their outer web ; the bridles which in this bird pass around the eyes are of a blood-red, as is 

 the beak ; the feet are grey. The plumage of the Pheasant Finch is of a brownish grey, fading upon 

 the throat into greyish white ; the lower part of the breast and sides of the belly are tinged with rose 



