CAGE AND SINGING BIRDS. 
69 
THE SHAFT-TAILED BUNTING. 
It is from the coast of Africa that we derive our supply 
of these rare and beautiful birds^ which^ exclusive of tho 
four middle feathers of the tail^ are only about five inches 
and a half long ; these feathers are from nine to ten inches 
long*; only about two inches of the extremity being webbed, 
the remaining length being but bare quills^ giving the bird 
a very peculiar appearance. In winter^ this bird is gray, 
somewhat like the linnet, only brighter, but in other seasons, 
all the side of the head, the neck, and the lower parts of the 
body are yellowish red ; the upper part of the body is black, 
find spots of the same extend up the back of the neck : the 
under part of the thighs and vent are also black; the beak 
and feet are red, and the tail feathers brown and blacko 
The female is a plain brown bird, and is without the longer 
feathers of the tail, which give to her mate so distinguished 
an appearance. These birds should be treated like the 
other foreign buntings 3 they are lively and agreeable pets, 
and good songsters. 
THE WHIDAH BUNTING. 
This, too, is an African bird, and, perhaps, the most 
beautiful of the family ; its name, say some, is derived from 
Whidah, a fortress in Angola, about which it is commonly 
found. Others call it the Widow, because it has much of 
black in its plumage 5 this sombre tint, which extends over 
the head, chin, front of the neck, back, wings, and tail, is, 
however, greatly relieved by the light orange white and 
flesh-colour of the back of the neck, belly and thighs, and 
feet. The main peculiarity of the bird, which is about the 
size of a linnet, is its enormously long and singular tail, 
the four outer feathers of which are very broad, and about 
four inches in length ; the two next are thirteen inches long, 
broad in the middle, and narrowing towards the ends till 
they come almost to a point ; the two centre feathers of the 
tail diverge somewhat from the straight line, and are glossy, 
like those of a cock : thread-like filaments project from the 
ends of the longer tail feathers, and float about with every 
motion of the bird, which is exceedingly lively, and takes 
great delight in bathing and trimming its feathers ; it has 
