Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/294

244 Paroaria which, when courting, plucked their breasts nearly bare of feathers; whether this was to show their bravery, or to offer building materials for the new home, I never could determine; it certainly did not render them more attractive to me, however it may have struck the hen Cardinals.

Among the Weaving-Finches (Ploceidæ) dancing is common, and the attitudes assumed by some of the species when singing and dancing to their mates are very ludicrous. The genera of Ploceidæ, if judged by their habits and songs, are strangely commingled in systematic works; but to the aviculturist they readily sort themselves into the groups known as Waxbills, of which Estrilda is the typical genus; Grass-Finches (=Amadina), and many others; Mannikins, of which Munia is typical; Whydahs =Vidua and allies; and true Weavers—Ploceus, Pyromelana, &c. The true Waxbills, when showing off and singing, usually take a long grass-stem in their beaks, grasp the perch firmly, look straight upwards, and raise themselves jerkily up and down, uttering a shrill chirp, and finishing with a short song. The Grass-Finches depress the beak when dancing, and frequently sway from side to side; many of them also hold a long grass-stem in their beaks; some sing clearly, others almost inaudibly, uttering a weak sibilant song.

The Mannikins behave much like the Grass-Finches, but their tails are spread out fanwise, and they hop sideways, turning from right to left as they approach the hen; their songs are sometimes clear, but more frequently are a mere weak vibrant humming, with a few creaky notes, and a final prolonged reedy whistle. The Whydahs court hovering, rising and falling with loud beatings of the wings above the perched hen. The action of these birds reminds one forcibly of that of gnats sporting in a swarm; it is extremely graceful. The song, which is harsh and unpleasant, seems to be chiefly used as a war-cry. By its habits the little Ultramarine Finch (Hypochera) is undoubtedly a Whydah with short upper tail-coverts, and is, in my opinion, related to Vidua hypocherina. The typical Weavers, although belonging to two groups, separated by scientists under the subfamilies Ploceinæ and Viduinæ, have many peculiarities in common. They depend greatly upon their brilliant plumage, and the expansion of their crests, ruffs, and flank-plumes for attraction