WAX-BILL. 
the natural colour of wax. It is singular 
that, when we speak of Wax as a colour ; in- 
stead of having an idea of white or yellow, as 
Wax is most commonly seen, a peculiarly 
delicate tinge of flesh-colour, generally pre- 
sents itself to our imagination: perhaps, from 
a mental association of the word, with Wax- 
work figures; a view of which so powerfully 
impresses every juvenile mind. 
The description which Edwards gives of the 
bird which we have now figured, is as fol- 
lows — ■ 
" It's bill is of a fine red colour, and resem- 
bles the best red sealing-wax. From the nos- 
trils, on each side of the head, are extended 
scarlet marks, ending in points about the plac 
of the ears : and, in these red spaces, the eye 
are placed. The top of the head, neck, whol 
upper side, back, wings, and tall, are of a dar 
brown; with five transverse lines of black 
the head and back, growing broader on t 
greater wing and tail-feathers. The throa 
breast, belly, and thighs, are of the same bro 
colour as the back: but lighter, and brighte 
havi 
