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Zbe ©ranae^cbeefeeD Waybill. 



( Spot org inth us melopodus) . 

 By T. R. Had ley. 



This quietly coloured yet beautiful little bird, often des- 

 pised on account of its commonness and cheapness, is, in my 

 opinion, the most vivacious and entertaining of all the Waxbills. 

 I have had many individuals and have found their general 

 characteristics to be daintiness of motion, great inquisitiveness, 

 agility, and a capacity for enjoying life unexcelled, nay, 

 unequalled by any other bird in captivity with which I am 

 acquainted. 



With a reputation for being somewhat delicate, I have 

 found them easy to keep fit. It has been my custom to have 

 several species of Waxbills at liberty in a living room. When 

 first given their liberty other species usually flutter aimlessly 

 round and invariably drop to the floor exhausted and in a very- 

 nervous condition. The Orange-cheeks, however, before flying 

 off invariably reconnoitre, and then, with a sharp ih ! ih ! fly to 

 the highest picture frame, from which point of vantage they 

 immediately set off to explore the whole room. During their 

 travels, which are always made together, should one bird miss 

 the other, the call immediately changes from the usual ih ! ih ! 

 to ti ti tee — ii ti tee; the one which calls retains a stationary 

 position, leaving the other to find his whereabouts, which does 

 not take long. On again meeting they make a great fuss and 

 caress each other. 



It is extremely amusing to see how quickly other species 

 get accustomed to a room if there are Orange-cheeks about; yet 

 if left to themselves some time elapses before they feel at home. 



It is a charming sight to see them all nestling together in 

 a row : Orange-cheeks, Avadavats, Cordon Bleu and Fire Fin- 

 ches (each pair keeping together) in the windows. If, however, 

 strangers stop to look at them the warning signal is given, and 

 ten pairs of wings carry their owners to a place secure from the 

 gaze of inquisitive strangers. The Orange-cheeks will never 

 permit strangers to closely examine them, although the other 

 species when alone will tolerate such familiarity. 



