[Name of a town in Dahomey, West Africa. Whidah bird is an alteration of WIDOW-BIRD, q.v., due to association with this as one of the habitats of these birds.]
1. In full whidah-bird, etc.: = WIDOW-BIRD.
1783. Latham, Gen. Synopsis Birds, II. I. 178. Whidah B[unting]…. Rather less than a Hedge Sparrow. Ibid., note. Whidah Bird.
1872. Livingstone, Last Jrnls., 19 June (1874), II. vii. 199. The young whydah birds crouch closely together at night for heat. Ibid. Whydahs, though full fledged, still gladly take a feed from their dam.
1889. A. G. Butler, For. Finches, 262. The Whydahs. These form a natural group of Finches, nearly allied to the Weavers.
2. Whidew goat, a West-African species of goat, Capra reversa. W. thrush, Pholidauges leucogaster.
1781. Pennant, Hist. Quadrup., I. 57. Goat … Whidaw. Capra reversi…. From Juda or Whidaw, in Africa. A small kind: the horns short, smooth, and turn a little forwards.
1783. Latham, Gen. Synopsis Birds, II. I. 58. Whidah Thr[ush]. Size of a Lark, or rather less:… the plumage in general is violet, excepting the belly, which is white…. Inhabits the kingdom of Whidah, in Africa.
