The WHYDAH OR WIDOW BIRDS (_Viduæ_) form the group to which we shall next
allude, as being most nearly allied to the family of the Weavers. Whether
the members of this family have had the name of _Widow_ bird assigned to
them by reason of the blackness of their plumage, is a question we shall
not attempt to decide; some naturalists affirm that the word _Widow_
is merely a corruption of _Whydah_, the name of the place from which
they were first obtained by the Portuguese. These birds are Finches of
moderately large size, remarkable from the fact that the plumage they
acquire during the breeding season is distinguished by the peculiar form
and great length of a portion of the tail-feathers, this decoration
being laid aside as soon as the period of incubation is over, and
replaced by another of less striking appearance. The other distinguishing
characteristics of this family are the short, conical, and pointed beak,
somewhat dilated at its base and compressed at its tip, and the wings
of moderate length. The plumage of the male is black above, intermixed
here and there with white and red; the lower part of the body is red,
gold colour, or white. All the various species of _Viduæ_ are to be met
with throughout the entire continent of Africa, though some countries
in particular might be mentioned as the actual homes of certain members
of the group. In their habits the Widow Birds bear a closer resemblance
to the Buntings than is usually observable in the Finch tribe; they
live during the breeding season in pairs apart from the rest, or else
not unfrequently in a state of polygamy, and only congregate in large
flocks and fly about the country after the period of incubation and the
moulting season are over. As may be easily imagined, the movements of
these beautiful birds are greatly influenced by their change of plumage;
the long tail necessitating a slow and stately motion, especially when
upon the wing, and often causing its possessor to be driven hither and
thither at the pleasure of the wind; when perched, the sweeping tail
hangs straight down, but is borne aloft when on the ground; no sooner,
however, has the moulting season gone by than the Widow Bird appears
to be quite another being, hopping and flying over the country with
the same activity that characterises the Finches. Most species of this
group seek their food principally upon the ground, generally subsisting
upon grass-seeds and various kinds of insects: they pass a considerable
portion of the breeding season among the branches, as affording the most
convenient situation for the bestowal of their streaming tails, whilst
some are found almost exclusively inhabiting the reedy parts of the
country, where they also carry on the work of incubation. The breeding
season is in the spring time of the African continent. In Soudan the eggs
are laid about the month of August, and in Abyssinia some months earlier.
The nest closely resembles those of the Weavers. The Widow Bird is rarely
brought alive to Europe, and though of a pleasing disposition, and well
qualified to live in a cage, is almost entirely destitute of song. The
first members of this group to which we shall call attention have been
named
* * * * *
The MOURNING WIDOWS (_Coliuspasser_). In these birds the beak is long,
compressed at its sides, slightly bent towards the tip, and appears
to rise at a right angle from the forehead; the wings are of moderate
length, the first quill much shorter than the four succeeding ones; the
feathers of the tail are considerably broader at their extremities than
at the base, the middle ones being the longest. The plumage is black,
with red or yellow upon the head, breast, nape, and shoulders.