156 The Endurance of Birds. 



Helena VVaxbill as a free breeder; certainly it is the most ready 

 to go to nest in captivity. 



The following" are the species to be dealt with in this 

 chapter : 



Blue-breasted Waxbill (Estrilda angolensis). 

 (lold-breasted Waxbill (Sporaeginthus subflavus). 

 (irey Waxbill (Estrilda cinerea). 

 Urange-cheeked Waxbill (Sporaeginthus mclpodiis). 

 St. Helena Waxbill (Estrilda astrilda). 

 Sydney Waxbill (Aegintha temporalis). 



The general remarks as to the above may be included in 

 the mass, as they are so similar in the habits, etc. 1 have kept 

 all of them and successfully wintered them out of doors over 

 several winters, but for those aviaries which are erected on a 

 sub-soil of clay it is best to house them in early autumn, as if 

 this period proves cold and wet it is actually more trying to them 

 than the winter season. There is another alternative, viz: to 

 so construct the aviary that the birds can easily be driven into 

 the shelter at night time, during the autumn months, and also 

 kept confined there during inclement days. This enforces the 

 importance of the shelter being roomy and well-lighted, and 

 emphasises the need of careful consideration before erection is 

 commenced. Also, this is a sine qua nan for all aviaries erected 

 in our northern counties. 



Some of the species show a decided preference for nesting 

 on the ground, weaving a rough globular nest in any convenient 

 tuft of grass; such will be indicated when dealing with the 

 separate species; others build a similar nest in bush, or twiggy 

 branch, mostly at a low elevation, and again others (these more 

 rarely) will make use of any convenient box in wdiich to 

 construct a nest. Hay, coarse and tine grass suffices for nesting 

 material ; most of the species make use of a few feathers for 

 lining their nests when these are available, and the thoughtful 

 aviarist will see that a few are lying about; a little moss is also 

 appreciated. 



As regards food their main dietary is white and Indian 

 millet seed, and millet sprays, though most of mine pick over the 



