95 



Their habitation is a large box cage in one corner of the 

 room, but they seldom use it in the day time, preferring the 

 various picture frames, which I preserve from damage by having 

 a thin board fixed at the back to catch the bird's voidings. The 

 loss of one or two birds through slipping behind led me to fix 

 them, so that they now serve a two-fold purpose. I have a large 

 box, about i5in. by 24m. on one side of the room, in which I 

 place the seed, and give the birds their bath ; they are extremely 

 fond of bathing, usually doing so twice daily whatever the season. 



The curiosity of the Orange-cheek is unbounded. If any- 

 thing fresh is placed in the room they immediately notice it, and 

 with man\' warning cries hover round until it has been thoroughly 

 examined, and then perch on it for closer inspection. A fresh 

 plant is a treat for them, they spend much of their time in the 

 flower pots. I have often seen them go down a flower stem to 

 drink the water from the vessel, and occasionally to try them, 

 have placed their box under the table (plenty of seed always 

 being in their cage); it is not long, however, before they find out 

 its new position. 



When fresh birds arrive I often unpack them before the 

 Waxbills. Immediately the Orange-cheeks come down, hover in 

 front of the cages and inspect the inmates and often endeavour 

 to get in with them, making a great commotion the while. 



On occasions they can be terrible little bullies with fresh 

 birds. I have seen one repeatedly put a cock Zebra Finch to 

 flight, who himself had not been afraid to tackle a Cockatiel for 

 approaching his nest ; the Orange-cheek would dart at him and 

 make the feathers fly : there was never any chance for retaliation. 

 for the little fellow was here, there, and everywhere until he saw 

 his opportunity for dealing another blow. 



In spite of the experience of other bird-keepers, I have not 

 found them to take to ants' eggs, though on one occasion such an 

 indulgence apparently saved the life of a pair whose condition 

 appeared to be hopeless. 



Occasionally one or a pair escapes, and having no garden 

 we have not the usual facilities for recapture ; however it is by no 

 means impossible, yet, on a hot summer's day, after seeing the 

 dainty gems flitting about in the sunlight from plant to plant and 



