This pretty little bird, although it does not excel as a songster, cannot be surpassed in the beauty of its plumage, nor the chaste delicacy of its colors. The close compactness of its feathers make its covering appear as if it was a solid surface, and when it is sitting still you might almost imagine that it was cut out of a fine, close-grained piece of wood, and then highly polished and colored. They are also probably the neatest and cleanest bird that ever was in a cage. I have had thirty of these birds in a bamboo cage, which I kept for some time. During the time I had them I never saw them wash, (although I have seen them wash since, but they wash but seldom,) and I never saw a spot on one of them; they were always neat and clean. They are very loving, one to another, and always sit close together, although sometimes they would have little quarrels, but they never hurt one another much. The males have a very sweet, low, warbling note.

Food

In their native country they feed upon rice; and when they are brought here they bring sometimes the unhulled rice with them, which is called paddy. But as we cannot procure it at all times, when I get them I always put them on Canary seed, (the Canary alone,) and I think it is much better for them, better even than the unhulled rice, when it gets hard and dry. I knew of one that was kept alone, for seven years, in a cage, upon Canary seed. They will seldom eat anything else. I have had them sometimes, that would pick a little green stuff, but not often.

Characteristics Of The Sexes

The bill of this bird is a deep carmine color; the head and throat are jet black, with the exception of the sides of the head, which are pure white; the primaries or main feathers of the wings are black, as is also the rump and tail; the rest of the upper parts, and breast, are of a fine bluish gray, the belly a delicate grayish purple; close to the tail white. I never could discover any difference between the male and female, except in size; the female is rather smaller.

Location

Found on the Island of Java, and throughout China - Resident.