canopy, the upper surface remaining void-without, however, being useless; for as it has a projecting rim, and is a little inclined, it serves to let the rain-water run off, and preserves each little dwelling from the rain. Figure to yourself a huge irregular, sloping roof, all the eaves of which are completely covered with nests crowded one against another, and you will have a tolerably accurate idea of their singular edifices. Each individual nest is three or four inches in diameter, which is sufficient for the bird. But, as they are all in contact with one another around the eaves, they appear to the eye to form but one building, and are distinguishable from each other only by a little external aperture, which serves as an entrance to the nest ; and even this is sometimes common to three different nests, one of which is situated at the bottom, and the others, at the sides. According to Paterson, the number of cells increasing in proportion to the increase of inhabitants, the old ones become "streets of communication formed by line and level.” No doubt, as the republic increases the cells must be multiplied also; but it is easy to imagine that, as the augmentation can take place only at the surface, the new buildings will necessarily cover the old ones, which must therefore be abandoned.

"The largest nest that I examined was one of the most considerable I had anywhere seen in the course of my journey, and contained three hundred and twenty inhabited cells, which, supposing a male and female to each, would form a society of six hundred and forty individuals. Such a calculation, however, would not be exact," as it appears that in every flock

the females are more numerous than the males male being common to several females.

; one

that com

The genus Vidua presents us with those elegant Finches peculiar to Western Africa, and known by the name of Whidah Birds. Although little or nothing is known of their habits in a state of nature, they are the most striking of all the genera pose the family of Weavers. They are small birds, not larger than a Canary; and the males, during the love-season, are adorned with exceedingly long tailfeathers, often four times the length of the tail itself: at this period also the general plumage becomes richer and 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 Whidah, in Guinea, whence they derive their name. They are also called Widow 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 the Linnets: their note is rather sharp, but agreeable 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 Bronzehooded Bengaly for instance, do not measure more

These

than three inches and a quarter in length. birds have a remarkably short, thick, conic bill. They feed, it is said, upon the hard seeds of the African millet, and some other of the tall grasses, or rather reeds, so common in the swamps of that country.

The species which exhibits in the highest degree the peculiar strength and conic form of bill, so characteristic of the family, appears to be the Crimson Nutcracker, which Mr. Swainson has designated by the name Pyrenestes sanguineus. This bird, he observes, is the most pre-eminent type he has yet seen of this family. It may safely be affirmed, he continues, that this extraordinary bird has the thickest and most massive bill in the feathered creation. Both mandibles, indeed, are of enormous size; but, contrary to what we find in the generality of birds, the under one is still more powerful than the upper. What are the nuts or seeds, the breaking of which requires such an amazing strength of bill, is perfectly unknown; but they must be of a stone-like hardness. The sharp tooth at the base of the upper mandible is, no doubt, highly useful in this operation, probably performing the office of a canine tooth by making a first indentation in the nut, whereby to procure a hold upon it.*

its margin is quite entire, excepting the short and

Birds of Western Africa.

rather tooth-like process close to its base, while the commissure, or line formed by the joining of the two mandibles, is nearly straight; the nostrils are vertical, pierced behind the substance of the bill, but completely covered with the frontal feathers. The wings are rather short, and much rounded. The feet large and slender; the middle toe very long, exceeding with its claw the length of the tarsus; the hind claw is as long as its toe, as in many of the scansorial birds. tail is broad, and much rounded.

The

The colouring of the plumage is rich, yet simple. The feathers of the whole head, neck, breast, upper tail coverts, and half-way down the flanks, are of bright crimson, and appear glossy, as if polished, but without any coloured reflections. The tail is of a dull red, but the inner half of the lateral feathers is black; the quills are nearly so. All the rest of the plumage is a uniform sepia brown. Bill, deep black; legs, brown; claws, long, slender, and but little curved. Total length of the bird, five inches and three quarters.

In the Cardinals (Guarica), the upper mandible is larger than the lower, covering its margins entirely, as in the Bullfinches; its form is not so completely angular, but is very slightly curved. Red is the predominating colour of the plumage, which, in the softness of its texture, resembles that of the true Bullfinches. The wings are generally short, and the tail rather long than otherwise. The type of this division is the Red Cardinal (Guarica cardinalis), Cardinal Grosbeak, or Virginian Nightingale, as it has sometimes been called. Caged specimens of this species

are often imported into this country, and sold at a high price. It is eight inches in length; all the upper parts are dull dusky-red, the crest (which is long, pointed, and erectible) and the whole under parts, bright vermilion. The strength and musical power of their voice have obtained for these birds the appellation of Virginian Nightingales. Wilson says that to this name, as Dr. Latham observes, they are fully entitled, from the clearness and variety of their notes, which, both in a wild and domestic state, are very various and musical: many of them resemble the high notes of a fife, and are nearly as loud. They are in song from March to September, beginning at the first appearance of dawn, and repeating a favourite stanza or passage twenty or thirty times successively; sometimes with little intermission for a whole morning together, which, like a good story too often repeated, becomes at length tiresome and insipid. But the sprightly figure and gaudy plumage of the Red Bird, as he is commonly called in the United States-his vivacity, strength of voice, and actual variety of note, and the little expense with which he is kept-will always make him a favourite. In the Northern States they are migratory; but in the lower parts of Pennsylvania they reside during the whole year, frequenting the borders of creeks and rivulets in sheltered hollows, covered with holly, laurel, and other evergreens. They love also to reside in the vicinity of fields of Indian corn, a grain that constitutes their chief and favourite food. The seeds of apples, cherries, and of many other sorts of fruit, are also eaten by them, and they are accused of destroying bees.