The Endurance of Birds. 159 



St. Helena Waxhill. — Very like the Grey Waxbill, but 

 with a longer and more pointed tail, and the transverse pencilling' 

 of the plumage is very distinct and noticeable. 



This is the most freely bred of all the waxbills, yet 

 instances of successful rearing of young are by no means 

 numerous. Odd instances of success have occurred over a 

 long period of years, that of our member, C'apt. J. S. Reeve, 

 being, I think, the latest. He had c|uite a prolific pair, but his 

 successes only covered two seasons. In my a\iary some ten 

 years ago a nest was built in a privet bush, and three young 

 were fully reared, and a second nest the same season produced 

 two more young. 



It is a hardy and enduring species, at any rate I have 

 found it so. 



SvDXEY Waxbill. — This is an Australian species, and a 

 very beautiful though quietly coloured one too. 



It has probably not been given many opportunities to 

 breed in English aviaries of later years, for it was off the market 

 for a good few years, and not many Australian birds leak 

 through since their exportation has been prohibited. Our 

 member, Mrs. Stanley Gardiner, had quite a prolific pair, which 

 did well with her for two years, and many young were success- 

 fully reared; about two years ago they were passed on to our 

 member,. Mr. H. E. Bright, who also has had young reared in 

 his aviaries. 



A full account of Mrs. Gardiner's success appeared in 

 Bird Notes, Vol. VIII., N.S., page 3. 



Mrs. Gardiner kept her birds out of doors all the year 

 roiu.id in her Cambridge aviary. 



I have only possessed odd males of this species at varying 

 times, and have found them less hardy than its African relatives. 



To be continued. 



^t-K 



