of the Island. These birds are frequently seen, hopping about in
pairs, and also in flights in the interior when the corn is ripening.
I t is not many years sinee they were introduced, and they appear to
thrive well and to he increasing in numbers.
Vidua, Cuv.
V . p a r a d i s e a , Linn.—Widow Bird. Sab. West Africa. Im ported
as a cage-bird from the West Coast of Africa.
Euplectes, Sw.
E . m a d a g a s c a r i e n s i s , Linn.—Cardinal. Hah. Madagascar,
Mauritius. A common field-bird, where it may he seen associating
with Crithagra butyracea, and in all probability breeds with it. I t
is not plentiful, hut maybe seen occasionally in flights of a hundred
or more when the com is being reaped. I t is caught by the natives
and sold to passengers on board ship. I t changes its plumage
regularly from red to brown every year. This bird has a habit of
frequenting those parts of the Island where the common flag
{Antholyza eethiopica) grows; it will sit perched on the long flower-
stalk enjoying the honey, sucking it through an aperture which it
bites at the bottom of each long tubular flower.
Crithagra, Sw.
C. c a n a r i a , Linn.—True Canary. Sab. Canary Islands. . Bred
in cages; and recently a few of this species have been seen in a wild
state near The Briars.
C. 'b u ty r a c e a , Linn.—Canary. Sab. South Africa. Next to
the averdevat, the most abundant field-bird in the Island, and it is
to be regretted that its numbers are diminishing, very probably
owing to the trade in birds carried on between the natives and
shipping. The note of this bird is less shrill and much sweeter
than that of the real canary; perched on the branch of a tree, it
will on a summer s morning sing unceasingly for hours. I t
associates with the cardinal and averdevat, and is particularly
fond of fruit, especially ripe peaches.
Fam. Sturnidce.
Grracula, Linn.
G. r e l ig io s a , Linn.—Mynah. Sab. India. This bird was
introduced in the year 1829, and has not multiplied to any ex ten t;
I t is still to be found inhabiting the Peepul trees {Ficus terebrata)
in Jamestown, but is rare.
O r d e r P r e h e n s o r e s .
Fam. Psittacides.
Psittacula, Cuv.
P . p u l l a r i a , Linn.—Love-bird. Sab. West Africa. As a cage-
bird.
Psittacus, Linn.
P . e r i th a e u s , Linn.—Grey Parrot. Sab. West A fries- Largely
imported from the West Coast of Africa, and becomes domesticated,
but does not breed in the Island.
Palseornis, Vigors.
P . d o c i l is , Vieill.—Green Parrakeet. Sab. West Africa, Kept
as a cage-bird.
Melopsittacus, Gould.
M. u n d u l a t u s , Shaw.—Shell Parrot. Sab. Australia. Kept
as a cage-bird.
Cacatua, Wagl.
C. sulphurea, Gm,—Lesser Veliow-crested Cockatoo. Sab.
Moluccas. A few kept as pet birds.
Lorius, Vigors.
L. d om ic e l la , Vigors.—Crimson Lory. Sab. New Guinea?
Kept as a cage-bird.
O r d e r C oltjmb« .
Mym. Columbidce.
Columba, Linn.
C. l iv i a , Linn.—Bock Dove. Sab. Europe. Abundant in the
Island; existing both in a wild and a domestic state. Wild
Pigeons frequent chiefly a place called the Waterfall, a perpendicular
cliff about 300 feet in height, situated inland about two
miles and a half from the sea, and take their daily flight to the
cornfields of Longwood or Broadbottom for food.
Geopelia, Sw.
w 1° ' t r r Uma’ G0uld’ ~~ Ground Dove- Sab. New South
Wales. Abundant all over the-Island. Generally to be seen in