Volume 17, Plate XI / Ornithology (Birds)

Broad-Shafted Widah-Finch

Vidua paradisea

The most striking of the weaver family, a small bird whose breeding male trails tail-feathers four times its length that must impede flight, long a favourite cage-bird imported by Senegal traders into France. The upper plumage is deep brownish-black, a broad orange-rufous collar crosses the neck and fades to buff beneath, while two greatly elongated central feathers reach twelve inches and the boat-shaped tail stands nearly vertical.