PASSERINE BIRDS. 



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THE ALECTO BUFFALO WEAVER BIRD. 



The Alecto Buffalo Weaver Bird (Textor Alecto) resembles the last-mentioned species in 

 the colour of its plumage, but is easily distinguishable from it by the difference in the shape of the 

 beak. Its feathers are soft and brilliant, some of those under the wings and upon the sides being 

 occasionally nearly white. The eyes are brown, the beak yellow, tipped with blue upon its extremity 

 and edges, the feet are of a dirty grey. Its length is almost the same as that of the species last 

 described. 





DINEMELLl'S BUFFALO WEAVER BIRD (TexiOT DillCliullii). 



THE DINEMELLI BUFFALO WEAVER BIRD. 

 The Dinemelli Buffalo Weaver Bird {Textor Dinemelffi), as the third member of this group 

 has been called, is a native of Abyssinia. This species is white upon the head and lower portion of 

 the body ; the mantle, wing and tail covers are chocolate colour, each feather being edged with a 

 lighter shade ; the shoulders, rump, and tail-covers are marked with small scarlet spots ; the bridles 

 are black, the beak a dirty deep blue, the feet dark blue. The body measures about seven inches, 

 the wing four inches, and the tail two inches. 



All the foregoing varieties of Weaver Birds resemble each other in their mode of life, and must 

 certainly be reckoned as the most remarkable members of their family, for though Finches, the)' have 

 many features in common with the Thrush, and their nests resemble those built by Magpies radier 



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