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THE LAVENDER-FINCH.
Lagonosticta ccsrulescens, V i E I L L .
^ COMMON but extremely beautiful West African Waxbill, simple and chaste
m colburing. Above it is pearl grey, with the lower back and upper tailcoverts
bright crimson lake; the two centre tail feathers dull crimson excepting
at the edges, which are brighter, shafts black; remaining tail feathers black dull
crimson externally ; flight feathers smoky-brora, with greyer outer webs ; a black
streak from the base of the beak through the eye almost to the ear; cheeks, chin
and throat pale peari grey, gradually deepening iii tint backwards until on the
abdomen it becomes sooty-grey, relieved on the flanks by a few pure white transversely
elliptical spots. The male blackish from the thighs to the vent, according
to Mr. Abrahams.* Under tail-coverts bright crimson; under wing-coverts whitish
grey; flight feathers below soot3'-grey ; tail feathers below slaty-grey. Length 3 J
inches. Beak black with a vinous red suffusion at the sides of the upper, and
base of the lower mandible; legs blackish grey; iris greyish olive.
I have found this Waxbill even more delicate than the Crimsou-eared species
an out-door aviary suits it admirably duriiig the summer months, but, however
vigorous its health may seem, the first sharp frost frequently kills it. Even m an
aviary with a muter temperature of fifty degrees, I have rarely kno^v ! it to live
long: a cage such as I have already recommended for the preceduig species and
the companionship of other delicate Waxbills, are the only nipa:. of saving its
life, unless a high temperature can be ensured during the cold M'eather.
The flight of the Lavender Finch, or "Cinereou.s Waxbili" as it is sometimes
called, is extremely rapid; indeed, I specially noticed that, when associated with
other Waxbills, Mannikins, and English Finches in my cold aviary, this little
Astrild flashed past them like an arrow, and would even cross their paths on the
return journey before they reached their destination.
' Mr. Abrahams also sent me coloured sketches to illustrate the difference in the sexes: the cock bird ..ith the
htghs and abdomen almost black; the hen with the same parts sooty-grey, not approaching black: my description is
taken from a hen example.
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L A V E N D E R FmCH.
(Loiganostida, cosruLescaisJ