136 FOREIGN FINCHES IN CAPTIVITY. 



This species of Finch, observes Mr. Ay res "is by far the most 

 common in Natal ; during the winter months immense flights of them 

 may be seen. They are fond of frequenting cultivated ground, 

 especially that on which weeds have been allowed to grow and seed, 

 where they find abundance of food." 



Dr. Russ calls this the " Little Helena-pheasant." He says : " A 

 not only exceptionally charming and soft feathered, but also in its 

 disposition an infinitely loveable little bird. Always lively, smooth, 

 spruce, and cleanly in its feathers, never stupidly shy, but if even 

 nervous, nevertheless, confiding and soon tame ; it gains the affection 

 of all amateurs and especially of ladies in high society. It is called 

 ' Little Pheasant ' because in its love-song and dance it exhibits a 

 Pheasant like appearance." 



" Flying at large in the bird-room the Helena-pheasants nest 

 readily, and regularly rear their young without mishap, provided they 

 get fresh ants' cocoons, or if accustomed to egg-food, and the tem- 

 perature never falls below fifteen degrees, Reaum., that is to say, 

 however, provided they are not disturbed by other birds ; in an 

 extremely large cage it is more difficult, because in the nesting season 

 they are unusually lively." 



" When breeding ver}' loveable ; the male utters a loud warbled 

 song of joy, of some bars.* Nest generally placed openly in a bush 

 or on a support usually high up near the ceiling ; in my bird- room 

 they have never chosen a Hartz cage or nest basket. It resembles 

 that of the Grey Astrild, and nevertheless, from its locality, has a 

 different aspect. With me they chose the coarser building materials. 

 They heaped up a high tower of dried chickweed, thick hay stalks, 

 shreds, etc., and with cotton threads, long horsehairs, feathers and 

 wadding they formed a neatly smoothed but barely over-arched cup." 



" Male and female built and incubated in common, like the Grey 

 Astrilds. This species also, I was the first to breed. Laying: 

 Three to five longish tapering eggs. Nestling-down of the young 

 bluish ; young plumage almost like that of the adults, the beak, however, 

 black. Change of colour : The red on the lower breast and abdomen 

 constantly conies out more strongly ; whereby the feathering always 

 appears a darker brown ; about the fifth week the beak becomes 

 coloured as in the Grey Astrild. Hybrids have hitherto been reared 

 from the Helena-pheasant with the Grey Astrild, Orange Cheeked, as 

 well as the little Silverbill and Thorn- Astrild (Sydney Waxbill.)" 



* I cannot say that I have ever heard more than six notes in this song, which is, however, 

 wouderfullv loud and clear. A.G.B. 



