CAGE BIRDS 195 



one of the smallest of Waxbills, this bird is extremely hardy 

 arid lives in confinement for long periods. 



The Orange-cheeked Waxbill (Sporceginthus mel- 

 podus) has been introduced into Porto Rico, where it is 

 found in some numbers. It is brownish-gray above and pale 

 gray below. The cheeks are orange, and a small space in 

 front of the eye and also the upper tail coverts are crimson. 

 The female is slightly smaller and duller than the male. 

 This species is not so hardy as some, but lives well under 

 proper conditions. 



The Golden-breasted or Zebra Waxbill (Sporcegin- 

 thiis subflavus)\s> one of the smallest of the group. The male 

 is brownish above, with the underparts yellow, with a tinge 

 of orange on the breast. The flanks are gray with white 

 bars, and a stripe through the eye and also the beak are 

 scarlet. The female is smaller and much less brightly 

 colored. This is one of the hardier species, and once 

 acclimatized will live for several years. 



The Cordon Bleu or Crimson-eared Waxbill (Estrilda 

 phoenicotis) is one of the most lovely of the Waxbills, but 

 when first imported must be ranked among the more delicate. 

 It is a soft grayish-brown, with the lower back, tail, cheeks 

 and breast pale blue. The male has a crimson patch on the 

 ears, which is wanting in his mate. The Blue-breasted 

 Waxbill {E. angolensis) is similar, but the male lacks the 

 crimson near-patch, and the blue is slightly brighter. 



The Common Waxbill {Estrilda cinerea) is a pale 

 brownish-gray throughout, the feathers with almost indis- 

 tinguishable dark bars. There is a red streak through the 

 eye, and a patch of this color on the abdomen. The St. 

 Helena Waxbill {E. astrilda) is similar, but slightly 

 irger, and the dark bars are easily discernible. Like most 

 ii the Waxbills, these species are delicate at first, but are 



>t difficult to keep once they are acclimatized. 



