IjS CASSELL'S book OF BIRDS. 



than such as are made by other Weaver Birds. The three species we have mentioned alike frequent 

 pasture land, keeping as much as possible in the immediate vicinity of the herds of buffaloes, upon 

 whose backs they perch, to obtain the ticks that form their principal nourishment ; they may con- 

 stantly be seen around these huge creatures, to whom they not only render this service, but wain them 

 of the approach of danger. Strangely enough, these birds confine their attentions entirely to the 

 buffalo, whilst their constant companion, a species of Buphaga, renders the same service exclusively 

 to the rhinoceros. The Black Weavers are by far the least numerous members of this trio, their settle- 

 ments rarely including more than about eighteen nests, which are built upon some large tree, and are 

 remarkable for their size, if we consider the dimensions of the bird by which they are constructed. 

 The nests, which have a very beautiful exterior, are formed of slender branches and twigs ; those of 

 the Garat Mimosa being frequently employed, in spite of the thorns with which they are armed ; 

 these materials are woven carelessly together, and the whole fabric, some three or four feet in diameter, 

 is so lightly constructed that the eggs are often visible through the sides of the nest. The interior is 

 lined with delicate fibres and grass, the entrance being an opening large enough to admit a man's 

 hand at one end, while at the other is a hole so small as to allow nothing larger than the birds them- 

 selves to pass through. We lear-n from travellers in Africa that the nests of this species are occasionally 

 found of a much larger size than those described, some measuring from five to six feet in length, and 

 four to five in breadth and height ; these enormous structures, however, are not occupied as a 

 residence by one family, but are joint property, some containing as many as from three to eight 

 distinct nests, in each of which may be seen the three or four white eggs, spotted with brown, 

 that constitute the brood. As may well be imagined, the noise and bustle around one of these 

 compound nests must be heard to be appreciated ; indeed, the vicinity of a settlement is unmis- 

 takably proclaimed by its busy and loud-voiced proprietors. The Black Buffalo Weaver Bird 

 breeds at very various seasons of the year, the time depending on the part of the continent that it 

 inhabits. Its flight is hovering, very light, and produced by a slow motion of the wings, which at 

 each stroke are raised high towards the back. When upon the ground it runs with ease, and is most 

 adroit in its movements among the branches of the trees to which it resorts. 



THE WHYDAH OR WIDOW BIRDS. 



The Whydah or Widow Birds ( Vidua) form the group to which we shall next allude, as being 

 most nearly allied to the family of the Weavers. Whether the members of this family have had 

 the name of Widow bird assigned to them by reason of the blackness of their plumage, is a question 

 we shall not attempt to decide ; some naturalists affirm that the word Widow is merely a corruption of 

 Whydah, the name of the place from which they were first obtained by the Portuguese. These birds 

 are Finches of moderately large size, remarkable from the fact that the plumage they acquire during 

 the breeding season is distinguished by the peculiar form and great length of a portion of the tail- 

 feathers, this decoration being laid aside as soon as the period of incubation is over, and replaced by 

 another of less striking appearance. The other distinguishing characteristics of this family are the short, 

 conical, and pointed beak, somewhat dilated at its base and compressed at its tip, and the wings of 

 moderate length. The plumage of the male is black above, intermixed here and there with white and 

 red ; the lower part of the body is red, gold colour, or white. All the various species of Vidua are to 

 be met with throughout the entire continent of Africa, though some countries in particular might be 

 mentioned as the actual homes of certain members of the group. In their habits the Widow Birds 

 bear a closer resemblance to the Buntings than is usually observable ill the Finch tribe ; they live during 



