African TVaxbills. 



377 



CRIMSON-EARED WAXBILL (Estrdda phcenicoiis). West Africa. 



(Illustration painted from live specimens kindly lent by Mr. E. Hawkins.) 



Fringilla Angolemis el Bengalensis, Fringilla Bengalus, Fringilla Bengaleitsis, Fringilla MaHposa, Estrelda Beiigalus et Mariposft, 



Estrdda Benghala, Estrelda Angolensis, Ura^inthits phccnkotis, Mariposa phmnicotis, Pylelia phcenicotis. Dealers' name 



Cordon Bleu, Blue-bellied Finch. French — "Cordon Bleu." German — "Blaue Astrild," " Schmetterlingsfink. " 



The Crimson-eared Waxbill, or Cordon Bleu, is annually imported in very large numbers, and 

 hundreds of pairs may sometimes be seen at a large dealer's, where they will sit closely packed 

 on the perches, and the drooping feathers of many will already prognosticate their early death. 

 Although this bird is found in the greater part of Africa, and has been met with on mountains of 

 considerable altitude, he is, when imported into Europe, one of the most delicate of all the foreign 

 Finches. A sceptic might say he is brought over but -to die, for the mortality is fearful. 



According to my experience, the usual temperature of a sitting-room in England is not 

 sufficient to keep the Cordon Bleu in health. Sometimes one bird out of many will survive and 

 thrive for a time, but in the end, either moulting-time or an accidental change of temperature will 

 affect the Cordon Bleu beyond recovery, and he will gradually droop and die. In Germany, where 

 the summer sun is much more hot, and where in winter the dwelling-houses are habitually kept 

 considerably warmer than in England, the Cordon Bleu has been bred often, and without very 

 great difficulty. My experience may be summed up shortly as follows : — The Crimson-eared 

 Waxbill is very beautiful, but if the reader wishes to keep him he should make up his mind to 

 provide a temperature between 60° and 70° Fahr. in winter. If that be impracticable, the Cordon 

 Bleu will not thrive, but vex his owner by ailing and an early death. 



The bird is very prettily coloured, being pale brownish-grey on the back ; the face, throat, 

 chest, and tail being pale sky-blue ; the cheeks of the male are ornamented with a patch of crimson; 

 the beak is very dark red. The female is similar, but the sky-blue tint is much less brilliant, and 

 the red patches on the cheeks are absent. According to Dr. Russ, the red cheeks of the young 

 males begin to show when the birds are five to eight weeks old. I have, however, bought 

 Crimson-eared Waxbills in London without the red patches on the cheeks, believing them to 

 be females, which after the next moult displayed the distinguishing marks of male birds — viz., 

 the crimson cheeks — for the first time. These were evidently very young birds at the time of 

 shipment, and the change of climate and food had delayed the first moult of this delicate little 

 bird for a whole year, whilst two months would have sufficed for the full development of the 

 bird under favourable circumstances. 



The Cordon Bleu has been imported into Europe since the last century, and should be fed and 

 treated like the other Waxbills. He will rarely build his nest in a box or other contrivance, but 

 prefers a construction of his own in a bush or among branches fixed to the wall of the aviary, 

 selecting generally the highest suitable spot within the bird-room. The young require the same 

 animal food as other Waxbill nestlings, but the parent birds are, perhaps, more difficult to please 

 as regards the proper food for their progeny. Fresh ants' eggs are always the best food where 

 obtainable, but a breeder will do well to accustom his birds to egg-food mixed with dried and 

 soaked ants' eggs, because fresh ants' eggs may prove some day, or at some time of the year, 

 beyond reach when wanted. 



The German name signifies " Butterfly Finch," and is owing to the bird hovering often 

 near his nesting-place, as a butterfly does near a flower. The Crimson-eared Waxbill is very 

 well-mannered in the society of other small birds, and exceedingly loving towards his mate. 

 Male and female will perch as near each other as possible, and frequently improve and preen 

 each other's plumage. 



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