104 FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



THE ORANGE-CHEEKED WAXBILL. 



Sporceginthus melpodus, VIEILL. 



THIS Waxbill is a native of West Africa, its range extending from 

 Senegambia to Angola. It is one of the most frequently im- 

 ported species, is very cheap and unfortunately, like most of the 

 African Astrilds, is nervous and delicate. 



The general colour of the adult male above is copper brown, the 

 wing-coverts similar, but the flight feathers slaty, excepting along the 

 edge of the outer webs ; upper tail-coverts bright crimson ; tail-feathers 

 dull black, the outer feathers greyish near the extremity of the outer 

 web ; crown of head and back of cheeks slaty-grey ; entire centre of 

 face occupied by a large orange patch ; feathers at base of upper 

 mandible crimson ; eyelid white ; sides of neck and under surface pearl 

 grey, slightly brownish and with a few orange- fringed feathers on the 

 abdomen, which is also somewhat lighter in the centre ; flight feathers 

 below scarcely paler than above ; length 3^ inches. Beak crimson ; 

 legs horn-brown ; iris pale brown. The female is paler in all the 

 bright patches. 



5. melpodus is one of the smallest of the African Waxbills, and is 

 a great ornament to an aviary ; but unless a winter temperature of 

 quite 60 degrees Fahr. can be ensured, it never lives long in such an 

 enclosure ; at any rate, that has been my constant experience for many 

 years. 



Now, it is a singular fact, with regard to these delicate little 

 Finches, that some of those which die very quickly in a moderately 

 warm indoor aviary, will survive for a considerably longer period in 

 an airy and quite cold one. No doubt the fresh air invigorates them, 

 and the additional exercise which they take, tends to keep tip the 

 circulation. I find, for instance, that the present species, the Cordon 

 Bleu and the Lavender Finch will live and thrive in an out-door aviary 

 at a very low temperature, but are speedily killed by fog. However, 

 for those who cannot command a high temperature and who yet wish 

 their African Waxbills to live indoors for more than eight or nine 

 months, there is only one plan to be adopted : 



