THE BIRDS OF AFRICA. 



235 



very seldom fully reared. The nest and eggs are like 

 those of the common waxbill ; food the same. 



Cinereous Waxbill. — Is also known as the lavender 

 finch, a title that aptly describes its prevailing colour ; but 

 the rump and tail are dark red ; the bill is of tlie same 

 colour. Both sexes are alike. 



Fig. 50.— The St. JIdena, or Red-Bdlkd Waxbill. 



It has bred in confinement, and the young, like those of 

 the other waxbills, have the beak of a dull black colour 

 when they leave the nest. 



They are confirmed feather eaters, so that a pair will 



