DESCRIPTION, DISTRIBUTION, HABITS 



Dufresne's Waxbill {Estrelda dufresnii). (Vol. I., 

 p. 204.) 



Description. — Male : grey above. Wing coverts and back 

 olive. Upper tail coverts and rump scarlet. Tail black. 

 Greater wing coverts tinged with crimson. Sides of face, 

 cheeks, and upper throat black. Under parts dull whitish 

 tinged with grey. 



The female differs from the male in having the face, cheeks, 

 and throat grey instead of black. 



Lengthy 3.8 ; tail, 1.8 ; wing, 1.5. 



Distribution. — From the eastern side of Cape Province, 

 north on the east side of Africa to Nyassaland. 



Habits. — These little birds are greatly sought after for 

 aviaries. When not breeding they associate in small parties 

 of six to about a dozen. The nest is placed in a tree or shrub 

 several feet from the ground, and is constructed of grass loosely 

 put together and lined with down or feathers. The entrance 

 hole is at the side. Clutch, 4 to 5. Eggs pure white and 

 very small. 



The very young nestlings are fed on small caterpillars, as 

 is the case with nearly all seed-eating birds. 



Orange-breasted Waxbill {Estrelda subflavo). (Vol. I., 

 p. 204.) 



Description. — Male : olive-brown on the upper parts. 

 Upper tail coverts and rump crimson. Eyebrows crimson. 

 Sides of face and cheeks grey, tinged with yellow. Lower 

 throat orange-yellow streaked with orange-red. Sides of the 

 breast, body, and flanks barred with yellow and black. Chin 

 bright red. Under tail coverts crimson. Iris red-brown. 

 Bill crimson. Legs and feet flesh colour. 



Lengthy 3-8o ; tail, 1.35 ; wing, 1.80. 



Old males are more richly coloured than younger ones of 

 the same sex. The female lacks the crimson eyebrow, and is 

 duller in colour. 



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