The BUTTERFLY FINCH (_Mariposa phoenicotis_) is a species found
constantly associated with the birds above-mentioned. Its body is lengthy
and slender, its tail long and wedge-shaped, and its beak, which is
extremely broad and high, placed at a right angle with the forehead. The
first quill of the wings exceeds the rest in length. The plumage of this
bird is very thick and silky; the whole of the upper part of the body
is grey, the face, breast, sides, and upper part of the centre of the
tail a bright greenish blue, the belly and under tail-covers dark grey,
as is the under portion of the tail. The cheeks are marked with a vivid
red spot, the beak is pale red, and the feet flesh colour. Both sexes
are alike in plumage, except that the female is without the red spots
upon the sides of the face. This bird is four and a quarter inches in
length, the breadth across the wings six and a quarter inches, the length
of the wing is one inch and five-sixths, and of the tail one inch and
three-quarters.
The Butterfly Finch inhabits the greater part of the continent of Africa,
flying over the country in small parties, that rarely become much
increased. The nest, which is seen both during the rainy and dry seasons,
is placed upon a low bush, and resembles a rough bundle of hay rather
than a cradle for the young. The eggs, from four to seven in number,
are long and of a brilliant white. We are told that this species will
occasionally steal into a Weaver Bird's nest to deposit its eggs, but
cannot speak positively as to the truth of the statement. This elegant
Finch, better known upon the Continent as "Cordon Bleu," is lively and
restless in its habits, and the attachment testified by one little mate
for the other renders them extremely attractive when caged. The only care
necessary for their successful rearing is to keep them constantly in a
warm atmosphere.
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[Illustration: THE PHEASANT FINCH (_Astrilda undulata_).]
Next in order to the preceding we place the ASTRILDS (_Astrildæ_), as
closely resembling them in many particulars, the body being slender
and the tail wedge-shaped; but the beak, although almost as high and
broad as it is long, rises with a decided curve towards the brow. The
plumage is very silky, delicately coloured, and marked with a series
of undulating lines. Europeans are familiar with two species of this
group--the GREY ASTRILD (_Astrilda cinerea_), and the PHEASANT FINCH
(_Astrilda undulata_). The coat of the former is brownish grey, lighter
upon the lower part of the body, or almost imperceptibly shaded with dark
wave-like markings; the tail is white, and its exterior feathers white
upon their outer web; the bridles which in this bird pass around the
eyes are of a blood-red, as is the beak; the feet are grey. The plumage
of the Pheasant Finch is of a brownish grey, fading upon the throat into
greyish white; the lower part of the breast and sides of the belly are
tinged with rose colour, and the outer web of the exterior tail-feathers
are light grey, striped with a deeper shade. In other respects this bird
resembles the Grey species; both are alike in their size, which does not
exceed four inches.
The whole of Southern and Central Africa is graced by the presence of
these beautiful creatures, the "Little Pheasants" generally occupying
such parts as are thickly wooded, and flying about the country in small
flocks, perching when in need of rest upon the bushes, from which they
descend to seek for seeds upon the ground. These birds are extremely
common in Natal, where we are told they devour great numbers of winged
termite ants, pursuing them in the same manner as that practised by the
Flycatchers. The nest of the Astrilds has been described as melon-shaped,
and closed at the top; it is placed in beds of high grass, and built of
fine leaves or stalks stoutly woven together, and hanging loose about the
exterior. The eggs, four or five in number, are carefully tended by both
parents, who sit alternately. As far as we can ascertain, the Pheasant
Finches do not migrate, but may be found living for years in the same
districts. In disposition they are very attractive, and this, combined
with their beauty and rather pleasing voice, will account for the large
numbers that are captured and exported to Europe.
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[Illustration: DETACHED NEST OF MALE GOLD-FRONTED WEAVER BIRD (_Oriolinus
icterocephalus_).]
[Illustration: NEST OF ASTRILDA, FROM SENEGAL.]
We are now about to enter upon a description of one of the most
remarkable groups of African birds, the strange forms of whose very
varied nests are no doubt familiar to many of our readers. It would
be difficult to imagine a more beautiful sight than that presented by
a settlement of these most artistic WEAVERS, their nests hanging not
singly, but by dozens, from the branches of a tree, which is generally
selected with a view to being in the immediate vicinity of water. So
strong and firm is the work of the little architects that the rain and
blasts of years will not shake their abodes from their foundations,
and it is by no means uncommon to see a tree thickly covered with the
consecutive labours of many generations, and literally bending under
the weight of these curious and elegant constructions. The central and
western parts of Africa are particularly resorted to by these birds, also
long accounts are given us of their abundance in Java and Madagascar.