172 
BEATJTIPIIL BIRDS. 
the females are more numerous than the males ; one 
male being common to several females. 
The genus Vidua presents us with those elegant 
Finches peculiar to Western Africa, and known hy 
the name of Whiclah Birds. Although little or no- 
thing is known of tlieir liabits in a state of nature, 
they are the most striking of all the genera that com- 
pose the family of AYeavers. They are small birds, 
not larger than a Canary ; and the males, ^during the 
love-season, are adorned with exceedingly long tail- 
feathers, often four times the length of the tail itself : 
at this period also tlie general plumage becomes richer 
aud more varied in colour. The long feathers of the 
tail fall off towards the end of autumn, and the 
plumage that is assumed at the autumnal moult is of 
a sober cast, and scarcely differs from that of the 
female. 
These birds are found in various parts of the 
western coast of Africa, from Senegal to Angola. They 
appear to be particularly common in the kingdom of 
AYhidah, in Gruinea, whence they derive their name. 
They are also called AA^idow Birds, from the generic 
name Vidua or Veuve having been assigned to them 
by the French naturalists. They have much the 
manners, as they have, with the exception of the 
peculiar structure of their tails, all the organization, 
of tlie Linnets : their note is rather sharp, but agree- 
able and varied. In France and other parts of the 
Continent, they are amongst the most favourite cage 
birds. 
Some elegant little birds are contained in the genus 
Amadina, or Bengalies ; some of which, the Bronze- 
hooded Bengaly for instance, do not measure more 
