on Cordon Bleu — St. Helena Waxbill hybrids. 307


My meal-worms had now given out, but as ants’ cocoons were

plentiful I obtained no more.


By July 1st these birds had come along splendidly, one bird

in particular, probably the one which appeared out first, having

developed the tail motions of his father, started a strong song of his

own, quite unlike either of the parents, and took upon himself the

responsibility of general sentinel to the aviary, giving warning in a

vigorous call very like his father’s upon any appearance of danger

or sudden noise.


When these four youngsters are asking to be fed it is just like

the sound of a lot of our young Titmice asking the same thing, the

sound is almost identical; when I found it was my birds making the

noise I was very astonished, as I had heard it several days before,

but thought it was young Titmice in the orchard trees around, where

there are several nests every year : it is slightly ventriloquial and hard

to locate.


On July 5th I separated these birds from their parents as they

were all feeding themselves well and the old birds seemed to want to

commence nesting again.


The hybrids are now all safe and feeding like old birds, all of

them have the flirty action of the tail like the St. Helena’s ; their

feathering is the loveliest I have yet seen on young birds, so lace-like

and such quantities of it they look simply like balls of fluff, with the

exception of the tail being too long and not carried at the same

angle, they much resemble our common Wren.


Their flight is rapid and graceful, tail jerking from side to side

all the time, and they are bright-eyed and most inquisitive and quite

tame if no sudden movement is made, coming right up to the wires

to see you and altogether delightful in their demureness.


Should any fellow-member after reading this feel they would

like to purchase some of these birds, I should like to add that I have

sold two and will not part with the other two, but should I be

successful again and rear another nest this season I might be able to

spare one or two.


In addition to these hybrids I have been very successful

with Diamond Doves, Zebra Finches, and Long-tailed Grass Finches,

but my Ruficandas have failed altogether so far.



