92 
ST. HELENA. 
of the Island. These birds are frequently seen hopping about in 
pairs, and also in flights in the interior when the corn is ripening. 
It is not many years since they were introduced, and they appear to 
thrive well and to be increasing in numbers. 
Yidua, Cuv. 
V. paradisea, Linn. — Widow Bird. Ilab. West Africa. Im- 
ported as a cage-bird from the West Coast of Africa. 
Euplectes, Sw. 
E. madagascariensis, Linn. — Cardinal. Hah. Madagascar, 
Mauritius. A common field-bird, where it may be seen associating 
with Critliayra butyracea, and in all probability breeds with it. It 
is not plentiful, but may be seen occasionally in flights of a hundred 
or more when the corn is being reaped. It is caught by the natives 
and sold to passengers on board ship. It changes its plumage 
regularly from red to brown every year. This bird has a habit of 
frequenting those parts of the Island where the common flag 
(. Antlolyza cethiopica) grows ; it will sit perched on the long flower- 
stalk enjoying the honey, sucking it through an aperture which it 
bites at the bottom of each long tubular flower. 
Critliagra, Sw. 
C. canaria, Linn. — True Canary. Hab. Canary Islands. Bred 
in cages ; and recently a few of this species have been seen in a wild 
state near The Briars. 
C. butyracea, Linn.— Canary. Ilab. South Africa. Next to 
the averdevat, the most abundant field-bird in the Island, and it is 
to be regretted that its numbers are diminishing, very probably 
owing to the trade in birds carried on between the natives and 
shipping. The note of this bird is less shrill and much sweeter 
than that of the real canary ; perched on the branch of a tree, it 
will on a summer’s morning sing unceasingly for hours. It 
associates with the cardinal and averdevat, and is particularly 
fond of fruit, especially ripe peaches. 
I am. Siurnidte. 
Gracula, Linn. 
G. religiosa, Linn. — Mynah. Hab. India. This bird was 
introduced in the year 1829, and has not multiplied to any extent ; 
