THE ST. HELENA WAXBILL. 137 



" In the course of time the Helena- pheasant has nested in many 

 bird-rooms, and is one of the most diligent, but also most unreliable 

 nesters. When breeding, not peaceable towards its own kind ; two 

 breeding pairs must never be kept in one room. In an aviary-cage, 

 however, entirely pacific. In spite of its apparently powerful body, 

 tender and weakly, readily perishing from cold, damp and draught : 

 easy to keep in the temperature of a room." 



As the temperature of my bird-room is lower than that of a 

 German dwelling-room in winter, I have never been able to keep the 

 St. Helena Waxbill there for any length of time : * indeed, with me 

 it has gone off more quickly than the "Common African Waxbill." 

 And yet, I do not believe that dry cold kills this bird necessarily : 

 but rather sudden fluctuations of the temperature, and I base this 

 opinion on the following evidence : 



In 1893, a friend brought me three St. Helena Waxbills, and 

 told me I could have them at the absurdly low price of eighteen 

 pence a head. I declined at first on the score of never being able to 

 keep these birds alive for more than two or three weeks: he, however, 

 did not seem to care much about taking them home again; so, as 

 they were in first-rate condition, I thought I would try the experi- 

 ment of cool treatment upon them. I turned these three St. Helena 

 Waxbills into my coolest aviary in October, and they all lived happily 

 there until the middle of November ; when first one, and then the 

 second died : the third continued to live, in spite of six, twelve, and 

 even twenty-one degrees of frost, and lived in health until late in 

 1896, having passed three whole winters without warmth. 



For this species, as for the other African Waxbills, I should 

 recommend a large box- cage with a warmly lined night shelter; unless 

 a temperature of at least 60 degrees, Fahr. could be secured. In my 

 own case this is a difficult matter, as I have a large area to warm, 

 but, nevertheless, I shall eventually endeavour to obtain a higher 

 temperature for my pets. For, although I have proved, that cold and 

 even a certain amount of dry frost do not necessarily kill the most 

 delicate birds; it stands to reason that they must feel happier and 

 more inclined to breed in a climate which more nearly approaches 

 their own. 



On the other hand, it is a singular fact, that birds coming from 

 the hottest parts of India and Australia are often able to survive 

 severe winters in an unheated aviary; indeed the Gouldian, Diamond, 



* In 1895 I was more successful, a pair then purchased having lived until 1897, as did a 

 second pair obtained in 1896. A.G.B. 



