[ 40 ] 
VARIEGATED BUNTING. 
Emberiza Principalis. 
La Veuve d’ Angola. 
La Veuve Mouchete'e 
Long tail Sparrow. 
Variegated Bunting. 
Lin. Sjst. i. p. 3 13. 21 . 
Bt is. Om. app. p. 80. 
Buff. Ois. iv. p. 165. 
Edw. p. 270. 
Latk.Gen.Sjm.ii. p. m. 
JVo. 1 8 . Far. B. 
The subject of this plate is represented as large as life; it is a native of An- 
gola, on the Western coast of Africa. The bill is of a lively red, short, 
strong, and conic, having a hard knob in the upper mandible, which en- 
ables it to break and triturate seeds and grain. 
The upper part of the head and neck are of a dull orange colour, varie- 
gated with black ; the back , the rump, and wings, are black, edged with dull 
orange; the sides of the head, the throat, the lesser coverts of the wings, the 
belly, and coverts under the tail, are white; the breast pale orange; the tail 
consists of twelve feathers, including the four long ones, which are not (as 
the Count de Buffon supposes ) a sort of false tail of supernumerary feathers, 
but actually constitute a part of the true tail. 
When these feathers acquire their full length, the four middle ones pro- 
ject considerably beyond the side ones, as expressed in the Plate; they are 
cast in moulting, and are quickly replaced; which, though common in most 
birds, is contrary to the nature of the Whidah, as that bird is often half a 
year without them. 
It was an active, lively bird; and although it had no song, neither could 
it boast of any richness or brilliancy of plumage, yet the extraordinary 
length and foim of its tail, so different horn all other birds, rendered it a very 
pleasing and valuable acquisition to this Collection. 
