2O2 Bird-keeping. 



lining. The nest will vary much in form and beauty of 

 workmanship. If hanging from the branches of a tree 

 in a bird-room or among the bushes, it will be a round 

 or oval structure, with one or two entrance-holes at 

 the side or bottom, sometimes roughly built outside, 

 but beautifully finished within. If begun in an open 

 nest-basket, the top will be domed over, so as to pre- 

 serve the same shape, and only one little entrance-hole 

 left; but many of the birds build in the cocoa-nuts 

 and rush-baskets given them to sleep in, and then the 

 nest is, of course, much less perfect. The nests of the 

 common Grey African Waxbill, the Orange-cheeked 

 Waxbill, and Fire Finch are oftQn real works of art, 

 and most beautifully woven ; those of the St. Helena 

 and Orange - breasted Waxbills, and of the Cordon 

 Bleu, are more carelessly made. The Avadavats, which 

 will very seldom go into the baskets, generally build 

 hanging bottle-shaped nests. Dr. Russ found the St. 

 Helena and Orange-breasted Waxbills, Cordon Bleus, 

 and Fire Finches would breed the most readily; he was 

 seldom successful with the Grey or Orange - cheeked 

 Waxbills, though these were the best architects. All 

 the species laid little white eggs, and the cocks and 

 hens sat on these, alternately or both together, from 

 eleven to thirteen days. 



All the Waxbills and Avadavats live together in a 

 cage, with Spice Birds and Silver-bills, in the utmost 

 harmony. They are so sociable and affectionate that 



