234 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 



St. Helena waxbill, is not unlike the last, but is large, and 

 its plumage all thi'oughout is crossed with dark undulating 

 lines, which give it a waved appearance. The tail is long, 

 and perpetually in motion. Food, habits, etc., the same as 

 the last. 



The female is the smaller of the two, and has much less 

 red on the lower parts. Breeds pretty freely in confine- 

 ment, but the young are not very often fully reared, 

 probably on account of something missing in the food. 



Dufresxe's Waxbill. — So called after a French 

 naturalist of that name. It is a sprightly little bird, 

 about the size of the common waxbill. It has a black 

 face, with whitish throat and back part of neck ; the rest 

 of the plumage greenish grey except the back, which is 

 almost black. As in the case of the two preceding species, 

 the bill is bright red, but the lower mandible here is 

 darker than the upper. 



The female is of much duller appearance, her face being 

 greenish grey. 



Orange-Cheeked Waxbill. — This is a common species 

 of a dull greenisli colour, darker above than below ; a 

 patch of orange red marks the cheeks ; the rump is 

 reddish, and the tail blackish brown ; the hinder lower 

 parts are whitish grey ; bill red. Female indistinguishable. 



This species also breeds pretty freely in confinement. 



Crimson-Eared Waxbill. — This bird is, perhaps, better 

 known by the name of " cordon-bleu." It is very pretty, 

 and though long reputed delicate, is perfectly hardy. The 

 face, breast, sides, and rump bright sky blue. The male, 

 however, has a patch of deep crimson on each cheek, the 

 female being known by its absence ; the bill is bright 

 red. 



This little bird, which is much the same size as the 

 others, breeds freely in confinement, but the young are 



