The Orangc-Checkcd IVaxbill.
In one upper corner of a spacious breeding-cage, open only in front, hang up
a l^ox half filled with liaj- and turn your African Waxbills into this : on warm
nights you will see these little Finches crowded together on the top of the box,
but in cold weather the^- will crouch down inside upon the hay and so keep
comfortably warm: you will find that, by adopting this plan, you can keep all the
more delicate Waxbills in health throughout the winter and at a moderate temperature.
Of course, in an ordinary dwelling-room, a good temperature cau usually be
ensured; but few careful housewives like to have large cages full of birds in their
rooms, because, even with the greatest precautions, it is next to impossible to
prevent Fmches from flinging seed and husks upon the carpet ; and it is quite
impossible, when this happens, to prevent an invasion of mice from the outside
world. Personally, I should not object to having Finches in every room of my
house, even though it should involve perpetual warfare against mice : but it must
be admitted, that it is better for pets of all kinds to be kept to their own rightful
domains.
Dr. Rnss thus speaks of this Waxbill : - "Always smooth and clean in plumage,
sprightly and active, exceedingly docile and peaceable, singularly shy and
nervous ; so that whenever anything unusual appears its shrill ery of warning is
, uttered; although sauey and in particular very inquisitive."
" I n my bird-room three pairs of Orange-cheeks went to nest and built sociably
either like the grey Astrilds in the little basket nest of a high hangin<. open
structure, or freely in a thick bush, with thin flexible fibrous materials, as well
as fresh asparagus sprays, an ornamental spherical nest, with a quite narrow
•circular entrance hole, without tubular inlet, Z«^.«.-three to seven round white
eggs.^ Boft sexes always sit simultaneously, keep always close together most
affectionately, never separate, whisk together out of the nest at every scare on
which account the brood comes to grief nearly every time. MMin<r.dotm yellowish
grey, with the swollen rims of the beak pure white. Yotcng /,/umao,-nhove clear
ash-gre3^ below brighter, with a brownish ground-tint; tail and wing-feathers
darker, undecided reddish grey; croup suffused with reddish yellow; cheeks already
delicate c ear yellow; beak and feet black. T/u- change of colour commences in the
third week, b3' the more defined development of the coloured characters; in the
hith week even the little, beak has become red.
"After this Astrild had first nested in my Bird-room, it also did so in several
others; nevertheless its production is one of the most diflicult of all. Not delicate
It so far resembles the grey Astrild. Hitherto hybrids have been bred between thè
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