' Hi! 2 1 2 Foreign. Finc/ics in Capti-oHy,
The song consists of a long-drawn trill in one note, follo^ved almost immediately
l>y a second tnll in a slightly different note ; it gives one the impression of expiration
iollowed by inspiration throngli a pea-.vhistle ; it is chiefly heard when the bird is
b n i l d i n g * Dr. Rnss describes the song as resembling a little rnnning brook ; but to
luy mind it is much too shrill for such a simile to be apt.
German travellers tell us that the African Silver-bill has no decided sono- but
that It IS represented by modest ^yhispered babbling and sounds resembling kissino-
M-ith little melody ; and that the members of this species breed in the nests of
\ \ eaver-birds, which they suit to their requirements by lining them thickly with
feathers, hair, and wool; they lay from three to five transparently white eo-gs and
that their nesting-season is from August to October. Vierlhaler, however, found a
nest in Januarj-, It does not occur at an elevation of more than five to six thousand
feet above the sea-level, and is not addicted to migration. It lives on the banks of
streams on islands, in fields of luai.e and cotton, on farm lands, and even bj- desert
brooks, but never in very considerable numbers. It is sometimes seeu wanderinoabout
on the ground, but more ofteu in hedges, scrub, and dead thorn trees It also
pairs in captivity A^'ith the Indian Silver-bill.
These are all the facts that I have been able to collect respecting its wiid life
(the last sentence being, of course, not included), and as it has been so much less
noticed b3-hunters and collectors, it is probable that further investigations will not
onlj- great 3- extend the period of nidification of this species, but also its mode of
nesting will te seen to vaiy; for there is no reason why one speeics, in India, should
breed throughout the j-ear, forming its nest in various ways; and a elosely allied
African species should be tied down to three or four months in the year, and be
incapable of forming independently a nest of its own. ^'ierthaler's nest, found in
January, pro^^es conclusively that the season is not limited to the autumnal mouths •
and, in coufineinent, we know that the African Silver-bill is ready to build at any time'
like ills Indian cousin.
Dr. Russ sa3-s: "Dr. Karl Bolle first bred the little Silver-pheasant, and
described it in detail: • T h e little birds love to sit in pairs, or several closely huddled
together on a branch, and the whole company is truly inseparable. If divided they
call ^^.lth anxious chirping, at last in sharp and impatient sounding tones. Their
short wings, indeed, do not allow them in their native country to take a lono- or
partieularlj- high flight; therefore, they slip through the scrub with the agility'rf a
The African Sihcr-BiU.
mouse. Ou the ground the}' hop about with the tail directed obliquely upwards.
They alwa3's require a hollow in which to pass the night, even when not nesting.
The male alone is the architect of the nest ; I have never seeu the female bring ill
even a single straw; it is contented with sitting cpiietly in the nest, or in front of it,
and accepting the homage of its industrious husband in return. This peculiarity
places them, and some nearly allied Ainadinas upon the highest step among the
Finch-like birds; for the feeling of parental love never becomes so strong and
solicitous in the sex, which at other times accustoms itself to accept matrimonial
duties too readily. If the nesting hole is large, it is filled up with a fabulous
collection of rubbish. Everything answers the bird's purpose, ha3', moss, cotton,
linen, thread, pieces of paper, and even fresh green stuff, such as chickweed, etc. In
a roomy nest-box, or a Hartz cage, as ^^'ell as quite openl}' in the bushes, an
overarched nest is built; a narrow eavit}' is lined only with the softest possible
materials. At every loud noise the birds glide from the iiest, presently to return
back cantiousl}'. The young at first are perfectly bare and very hateful ; blackish red,
with yellow waxy skin swellings. In the first six to nine days the3' develop slowl3',
afterwards ever so much more rapidl3r. The3f remain a long time naked, graduall3'
acquire a bluish colouring, and then one might sooner take them for little loathsome
Amphibia than for birds. Ants' cocoons are utterty despised as food, and also green
meat. One nia3' therefore regard this Ornamental Finch, as well as its relations, as
exclusive seed-eaters, who never once corrupt their young ones with flesh diet.
Duration of incubation, eleven da3's. On the t\vent3i'-first day the 3'ouug leave the nest,
and feed themselves when twent3--five da3'S old. Every 3'ear as many as five broods
follow in succession.
" The young plumage is almost entirely like that of the adults, onl3r it appears
duller and more faded, whilst the wavy lines of the back and wing feathers are still
quite indistinguishable; the beak is shining bluish black. The improvement in coloiir
commences in the second week b3' the development of the wavy marking and
lightening of the beak. In five weeks the young bird is in full colour."
Illustration from a living male specimen in the author's collection.
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