SiL VER- Bills. 387- 



from the breeding-cage as soon as they can feed themselves, because they will surely creep 

 into the nest of the parent-birds when these want to sit again, and thus disturb the second 

 sitting. 



AFRICAN SILVER-BILL {/]/««/« i-a«tozj), North-east Africa. (Illustrated.) 

 Spei-mestes cantans (Russ), Ijixia cantans, Coccothraustes cantans, Estrelda cantans, Amadina cantans, Urolonclia canians, Eiwdice 

 cautain. English dealers' name — African Silver-bill. German name — " Silbersclinabel Amandine." French name— 

 " Bee d'Argent." 



An unpretending little bird, almost always obtainable, exceedingly amiable in the aviary, 

 and very easily kept, bred, and reared. The upper part is fawn-colour, the wings and tail are 

 a shade darker, and the lower body is dull white ; the beak is bluish-grey. Male and female are 

 much alike, and the surest way to select a pair is to choose two birds of different shades 

 of bluish-grey bills. The male is very industrious in singing his pleasing little song, and when 

 not so occupied the birds will creep with great agility through the bushes, or the pairs will 

 nestle lovingly close to each other on the perch. They will build a nest in any cavity or large 

 nest-box, and sometimes rear their young brood on seeds alone, although a few ants' eggs and 

 a little egg-food are always more likely to lead to success. 



INDIAN SILVER-BILL {Mimia Alalabarica), I.-^DM. 



Sperinestes Malakirica (Russ), Loxia Malabarica, Amadina Malabarka, Euodicd iValaiarua, Loxia bicolor. 



English dealers' name — Silver-bill. German name—" iVIalabar Amandine," or " Bleischnabelchen. ■ 



The Indian Silver-bill is very similar to his African cousin, and the habits of both species 

 are alike. The plumage is pale chocolate-brown, the head being somewhat darker ; the wino-- 

 feathers and tail are nearly black-brown. The lower part is brownish- white, marked with faint 

 spots on the sides ; bill bluish-grey. This bird is not so frequently imported as the African 

 Silver-bill, and is often mistaken for the latter. Food, &c., same as Waxbills. 



NUTMEG-BIRD [Munia uiidulata), India. (Illustrated.) 

 Spermestes punctularia (Russ), Loxia punclnlaria, Munia punctiilaria, Fri?igi/la punctularia, Aniadina pundularia, Uroloncha 

 punchdaria, Oxycenca nisoria, Spermesles punctularia, Loxia undulata, Amadina undulala, Munia lineoventris, Lonchura 



nisoria, Spa-mestes nisoria, Spermestes undulata, Munia topela, Munia fuscans. English dealers' name Nutmeg-bird or 



Spice-bird. German name — " Muskatvogel." French name — " Grosbec tachete de Java." 



The illustration shows a curiously-marked bird, rich chocolate-brown on the back, the 

 lower body being marked with numerous white crescent-shaped spots on light brown feathers. 

 The Nutmeg-bird is very common in India, on Ceylon, Java, Borneo, and all the other 

 islands in the Indian Ocean, is annually imported in large numbers, and has been known 

 and kept in Europe for very many years. By no means delicate, this bird will live a long 

 time in a cage or aviary, and will not require very minute care. With the smallest Waxbills 

 he will be invariably on good terms, and share their food and treatment. 



Dr. Russ has succeeded in breeding the Nutmeg-bird with very much trouble, and 

 undaunted by repeated failures. It is doubtful whether the bird has been bred elsewhere 

 in captivity, and the attempt cannot be recommended, non-success being almost certain. 

 It was for some time erroneously supposed that the White Japanese Manakin had been bred 

 from the Nutmeg-birds. These birds are kept solely for the sake of their plumage, the 

 only interesting feature in their manners being the attempt of the male bird to sing. He will 

 stand almost upright on the perch, the crop will extend as if the bird were about to make 

 a violent effort, the bill will open and shut, and scarcely a sound will be heard. If other 

 birds happen to be chirping or singing, the performance will appear like a dumb show. 

 Male and female of Nutmeg-birds are alike. 



