132 Birds I Have Kept 



Dr. Eiiss relates an instance of one of these little things 

 producing in one year the enormous number of one hundred 

 and twenty-one eggs, from which fifty-four young ones were 

 actually reared; and adds that even this extraordinary instance 

 of prolificacy has been exceeded, which seems almost impossible. 



The nest is neatly built in a cocoa-nut husk, or shell, of 

 fine hay, aloe fibre, and blades of grass, and is lined with hair 

 and small feathers: the female alone incubates, but is assidu- 

 ously fed by her mate, who jealously guards the nest, driving 

 away every other bird that ventures near the spot where his 

 little wife is setting. 



I am not aware of any disease peculiar to these birds, but 

 have lost some hens from egg-binding: however, on the whole 

 they are wonderfully enduring. 



The large numbers of these birds that are annually imported 

 from "Western Africa enable them to be sold at a price that 

 places them within reach of every amateur. 



Among a multitude of scientific names given to these little 

 birds I prefer that of Estrelda suhflava, which very well des- 

 cribes them: the German name is das Goldhrustchen, and the 

 Prench le Sene.gali a ventre orange. 



The song of the male is weak but sweet, and the way in 

 which he dances, with outspread wings and tail, round his 

 little partner, singing his song the while, is very amusing. 



CHAPTER XXXVIL 



THE OEAXGE-CHEEKED WAXBILL. 



THIS is another very charming little bird, rather larger 

 than the Orange-breast, and quite as desirable in a col- 

 lection. Its scientific name is Estrelda melpoda: the Germans 

 call it das Orangeh'dckclien, and the French la Joue orange. 



