Breeding of the Blue-breasted Waxbill. 339


BREEDING OF THE BLUE-BREASTED WAXBILL.


Estrilda angolensis.


Cat. Birds Brit. Mils. XIII., p. 402.


A vie. Mag. N.S. I., p. 120.


Stark’s Birds of South Africa , I., p. 102.


By Reginald Phillipps


In 1902, when I took up my pen to write about this

■species, it was accounted rare. In 1909, when I take up my pen

once more with a like purpose, it is accounted common ; thus

turns the avicultural wheel. But though it may now be moder¬

ately common, and although it may be well known to many of

our readers, I have not yet seen an announcement of the success¬

ful breeding in this country of the Blue-breasted Waxbill.


There are hindrances over here to the breeding of this

•charming little bird, to some of which I may refer.


At certain times or seasons, it may be easy to sex correctly

a couple of these Waxbills; at other times or seasons, it may be

quite as easy to sex them incorrectly. One cannot sex them by

their head, one cannot sex them by their tail ; one cannot sex

them by the shape of the beak, nor yet can one invariably sex

them by the depth of the blue in the plumage. One can some¬

times sex them by the width of the light drab stripe down the

centre of the abdomen, but by no means always. One cannot be

sure that a male will play or sing even to his own particular

female, though one can generally be sure that if you give him

the wrong one when his favourite is within hail he will make

things unpleasant for the former, and thus lead you to suppose

that she too is a male. The size may often be a guide ; but a

first-class female may be a better bird than an ordinary male.

And it is not an uncommon circumstance for a solitary female

to sing. Altogether, this little Waxbill can be exceedingly

provoking in the matter of sex.


Having caught your hare, I mean your pair, you will find

that, do what you will, some of these birds will want to go to

nest in the winter or early spring, and, unless you take care, will

spoil themselves for successful breeding before the warm weather

sets in.



