lOG 
The BlacV-faccd WaxbnI. 
E. charmoftyna bill and legs black. Tolal length 4.7 inclios, 
tail 2.3." 
Not known to English Avicullure. 
"The Somali Black-faced Waxbill {Eslril'la -iliitrrn- 
osipta) inhabits Somaliland, Southern Abyssinia, and Shoa." 
"Adult. Similar to E. erythronota in style of plumage, but 
differing in the erown, mantle, neck, throat, and iinderparts being paler 
and more pink ; black of nndorparls- restricted to a few fcatheis on the 
chin; ceatre of breast, abdomen, thighs, and under tail -coverts. j)inkish 
buff ; a rather strongly marked white marginal band behind the car- 
coverts bill and legs black. Total length, o inches, tail 
2.5." 
jVot known to English Aviculture. 
This brings us to the subject of our plate, viz.. Vieil- 
lot's Black-faced Waxbill, according to Shelley, but, as it is 
already known here as the Black-faced Waxbill, it will be best 
to continue this species {E. ei\i/thronota) as simply Black- 
faced Waxbill. leaving the other species referred to above, 
to be given the prefix of the respective species when ihey 
co'.ne to hand. I should state that the descriptions (pioted 
above are only partial and not given in full. 
The Black-faced Waxbill (Estrllda rrt/fhronnta) : 
This fine species which forms the subject of our frontispiece, 
is, I think, most will agree, one of the most successful Mr. 
Goodchild has drawn for us; if it has a fault, it is that the 
colours lack the intensity of the hues of the living bird, but 
that is the fault of reproduction. Till fairly recently it has 
been quite rare on the English market, but during last year 
quite a fair number came to hand, and at the present time its 
presence graces quite a number of English aviaries. 
According to Shelley, it ranges over South Africa 
generally to the north of 28 o S. Lat. It is apparently most 
abundant in German South-west Africa. Ander.son in " T3irds 
of Damara Land " states that it is generally distributed over 
Damara and Great Namaqua Land, and occurs in large flocks, 
and is also found at Lake Ngami — he states that it agi'ees wirli 
its congeners in habits and manners. Of the St. Helena Wax- 
bill, he writes : — 
"It lives ill flocks, and is generally found upon the urcmml. wlicvo 
"it seeks its food, which consists of seeds, insects, &c." 
Of the Black-faced, Stark writes : — 
"In the Transvaal during winter these pretty little birds feed 
