NOTES ON THE HABITS OF SOME BIRDS, 
Coast Castle ; and as it is the only specimen of the bird I hare 
hitherto met, I am inclined to consider it rare in this vicinity.” 
“ Pyrgita simplex — (12.36) — Cape Coast Castle, 7th July, 
1847, very common. The only external character which appears 
to distinguish the male of this bird from the female, is, that upon 
the outer part of the lesser wing-covers of the former, there are 
two or three feathers tipped with white, so that when resting on 
the ground, a small white spot is apparent upon each shoulder. In 
the female there is no such spot. Sparrows would appear to be 
much less impertinent on this coast than they are proverbial for 
being in all other parts. They do occur in the streets, although 
not in any great abundance, nor do they allow the near approach 
of persons. It is in the lanes, about the outskirts of the town, that 
they are most frequent, and there they keep hopping on the road 
before whoever disturbs them ; but seldom allows one to approach 
nearer than a distance of twenty or twenty- five yards.” 
“ Vidua erythroryncha — (27 . 28) — ‘ Fetish bird’ of the Fantees. 
Shot 30th June, 1847, in a piece of ground covered with grasses, 
and interspersed with a few low shrubs, chiefly acacise, in the imme j 
diate vicinity of a salt water lake, situate a little to the westward 
of the c Castle.’ Both are males ; and these elegant little birds 
were seen, among a considerable flock of others, which appeared to 
be females, as they kept flying with a peculiar jumping flight, at 
one time after one and then after another. When about to perch, 
they hover for a few seconds over the tree or bush ; and being ex- 
ceedingly tame, allowed persons to approach very close. Their 
crops were filled with small seeds like millet.” 
“ Vidua chrysonotus — (7 . 18)— The bird appears rather rare in 
he vicinity of Cape Coast Castle ; its note is a sharp short chirp, 
hrom what I have seen of this bird, both flying and perched, I am 
not aware that it spreads out its tail in the form of a boat, or 
elevates it as Mr. Swainson suspects.” 
A “J*ac T y„ yWn^,-. ( 55)- T his is the first specimen of 
ae bird I have met with here, we may therefore consider it some- 
a ^uncommon. I had not an opportunity of hearing the note of 
