nidification of the Reed Bunting, or Black-headed Bunting, as it is often called, some degree of confusion appears to prevail, many naturalists having asserted that it builds a nest supported by the stems of reeds or tall sedges, secured together by bents or rushes; others, on the contrary, affirming that such nests must have belonged to the sedge warbler, and therefore have been erroneously attributed to the Reed Bunting. Selby remarks that its nest is "generally built in a low bush or tuft of grass, and not suspended between the stems of reeds just above the surface of the water," as is the case with the nest of the sedge warbler. The author of the "Architecture of Birds" says, he never observed it built in either situation, (that is, suspended, or among tufts of grass,) but "uniformly in the side of a low bank, so that a bit of turf or a stone might project over it." We suspect the fact to be, that the bird builds in various situations, according to circumstances; generally, perhaps, among tufts of grass, rushes, or low bushes, but sometimes between sedges or reeds: a nest of this kind the writer once found, with halffledged young in it, between the sedges of a marshy spot, in Cheshire, elevated at a little distance above the water, or rather ooze. The parent birds repeatedly went to and returned from the nest, and it was by this that it was discovered. A nest situated somewhat similarly to this is described by Bolton; externally it was bound round with the growing reed leaves, so as to form a slight latticework, upon which the foundation of the nest was laid. Broken rushes formed the chief material, here and there intermingled with a little moss; the lining was a thick bed of cow's hair: it was placed above the water of a still pond. An accurate naturalist, Graves, speaking of the nest of this bird, says he has himself more than once seen the hen sitting on the nest, when, at every blast of wind, the reeds to which it was suspended were bent down to the water. In allusion to this description is the nest figured in our sketch. Closely allied to the genus Emberiza, is an American genus, (Ammodromus, SAV.) containing several species remarkable for their alertness and activity both on the ground, and among the tall grass and herbage of salt marshes and creeks. The Sharp-billed Bunting, (Ammodromus caudacutus,) and the Seaside Bunting, (A. maritimus,) are examples. Both are found in the United States. The next section contains the Linnets, of which the Goldfinch, the Redpole, the Linnet, the Siskin, the Canary Bird, are familiar examples. The beak may be characterized as exactly conical and pointed, but varying in length. In habits and manners the birds of this section are active and lively, many having an agreeable song; orchards, furze-covered heaths, and coppices are their favourite abodes; their food consists chiefly of the seeds of various plants, as of the hemp, rape, thistle, groundsel, &c. together with green herbs. Leaving the examples above indicated, one is selected from Africa, on account of its beauty and scarceness, the WHIDAH BIRD, or WIDOW BIRD, (Vidua paradisea, Cuv.) The author of the "Gardens and Menagerie delineated" informs us that "Edwards, the first modern writer by whom this interesting bird was figured and described, having happened to say that the Portuguese called it the Widow from its colour and long train, Brisson took the hint, and gave it the name of Veuve in French, Vidua in Latin. This appellation, translated as the language may be, is now the popular designation of the bird wherever it is known. The French naturalist had, however, overlooked the fact that Edwards had himself corrected his mistake, for such it was, in the following terms. In my description of this bird, I have said that it is called the Widow by the Portuguese; but I am since better informed that it is called the Whidah Bird, because it is brought frequently to Lisbon from the kingdom of Whidah, on the coast of Africa.' The name thus accidentally given has now, however, been universally adopted both in popular and scientific language. In the latter, the generic term of Vidua is applied by Cuvier to a well marked little group among the finches, (Fringillida,) nearly related to the linnets of our own climate." The genus Vidua is indeed one which our present section comprises; its generic characteristic consisting in the singular but elegant elongation of the tail-feathers of the male, at least during the breeding season; together with a slight departure in the beak from the truly conical outline. Of Cuvier's genus, Vidua, thus established, the Whidah Bird, (Vidua paradisea,) is one of the most elegant species. In organization and in manners they are true linnets. "In captivity, which they endure without much appearance of constraint, they are lively and active, jumping from perch to perch, and alternately raising and depressing their long tails with much vivacity. They are usually fed upon grain, with the occasional addition of green herbs; and are fond of bathing in the water which is placed in their cage. Twice a year they are subject to changes of plumage, which alter the appearance, of the male especially, to such an extent, that it would be difficult to recognise in him the same bird. The long feathers, which are his peculiar attribute, fall off towards the end of autumn, and, with the other changes that take place in his plumage, leave him little to distinguish him, during the winter months, from his plainer mate. But in spring he recovers his long feathers, his more brilliant hues, and his sharp but agreeable and varied note; the change being usually completed by the beginning of June. It is said that they live for twelve or fifteen years." The colour of the male, during summer, when his tail-feathers are in perfection, is of a bright black, with the exception of a band round the neck, and the under surface, which are tinted with chestnut inclining to orange, fading into dull white as it proceeds. The tail is as usual composed of twelve feathers, of which the four middle are elongated; two being flowing and pendent, and two (the two middle) broad, with the shaft projecting like a slender filament several inches beyond the end. During the winter, when these tail-plumes are wanting, the plumage is generally duller, the back and chest being dull orange interspersed with dusky spots; the wings brownish black; the under parts dusky white. Such is also the constant plumage of the females till the third year, when they become dusky brown. The present bird, with several allied species, is a native of the western coast of Africa, from Senegal to Angola. Leaving the Linnets, the WEAVER BIRDS (Ploceus,* Cuv.) next present themselves. They are distinguished by a beak conical like that of the linnets, but much more elongated, and with a very slight arching of the upper mandible. One of the most remarkable circumstances connected with the history of these birds is the formation of most elaborate nests, consisting of grasses or vegetable fibres beautifully interwoven together; in some cases suspended at the extremity of a twig or leaf; in others, where multitudes of birds form a sort of community, compacted together so as to form a solid mass, beneath the weight of which the tree often at length gives way. In the construction of woven nests the species of the * Πλοκεύς, a weaver. |