Abstract
The Weaver-Finches, or Grass Finches
are a group of small, seed-eating Passeres
being distributed over most of Africa,
Southern Asia, and the Australian region.
For some time, they have been considered
a subfamily (Estrildinae) of the true
Weavers (Ploceidae) (cf Delacour 1943,
Morris 1958 a.o.). Because, however, of
great differences in anatomy, physiology,
and behavior most recent workers are of
the opinion that the Grass Finches constitute
a separate family, the Estrildidae
or Spermestidae (Beecher 1953; Steiner
1955, 1960; Wolters 1957; Immelmann
1962 a.o.).