one of the smaller ones in which to place a pair of Violet-ears entirely by

themselves.


I am very sorry to have to tell j’ou that I have since lost the male bird

of the pair I have been speaking of: he was found dead on the floor of the

aviary one morning, though he had seemed quite well the eveningbefore; and

was very plump and in lovely plumage. This was a great grief to my little

niece, a child of six, who is often in the aviary with me. It is a pretty

sight to see these little birds on her shoulders and hat trying to get some of

her golden hair for their nests. She cried very bitterly over this sad loss,

and I felt very much inclined to do the same.


Since the introduction of the Violet-ears, such is the force of

example, many of the birds which were very timid and shy have become

qnite tame—the Crimson-wing, Pheasant-finches and several other kinds

which used to be rather wild now come quite confidingly to take small

mealworms, etc., from my hand.


Of my smaller birds, those which have bred most successfully are, I

think, the Orange-cheeked Waxbills.* The first time they chose a somewhat

curious place for their nest. In one corner of the aviary there is always a

little heap of fine hay thrown down, or rather propped against the wall,

so that the birds may take it for building—in this the Orange-cheeks

formed their nest, only about three inches from the ground. I did not

think it at all likely they would remain undisturbed, but, in due course,

they successfully brought out four lovely chicks. Since then, however,

they have chosen higher and more secure nesting-places.


Another bird, which I think is seldom seen in England and which is

a great favourite of mine, is the Red-faced Finch.t This bird also becomes

exceedingly tame and sings a particularly sweet warbling song. Un¬

fortunately, I have never been able to get any hens, indeed, I have never

seen one; I have three splendid males—one of these is in a cage in the

house. I say in a cage, but I should mention that the door of the cage is

seldom shut, and that the bird flies about everywhere and never seems to

think of going out although the windows and doors are generally wide open.

He will alwaj’s return to his cage when told to do so, and if I close the door

he at once begins to sing as if asking to be let out again.


I have another little bird which seems to me to be uncommon. I

believe it is a Partridge- or Quail-finch, J but I can find nothing about them

in any of the newer books. Mr. Gedney briefly refers to them in his, and I

think this bird of mine must be one of these. It was sent to me from the

West Coast of Africa, in a cage with a lot of Waxbills, and seems to have

got there by chance. It is quite a small bird, about the size of an Avadavat,

but more robust in shape — verj' small head and short tail; prevailing

colours, black, white, and grey, with a distinct bright cliesnut shade

tinging the very speckled breast. It is very like a little Partridge, and

behaves like one, running about on the floor of the aviary all day, very

seldom flying at all. It is a gentle happy little bird, continually repeating

a few comical notes which can hardly be called a song, I am sorry that so

far I have never been able to get any more of these birds.


Louisa C. Reid.



* This is strange, for Dr. Russ says that the breeding of tins Waxbill “ is one of the

most difficult of all.”—E d.


t Pytelia afra, generally known as Wiener’s Waxbill.—E d.


t Ortygospiza polyzona. See Avicultural Magazine, Vol. II., pp. 94 and in.—E d.



