108 
The BJaclc-juGcd Waxhill. 
absolutely friendly to all and sundry, whether it be birds small or 
great, or io mankind. I have found them easier to tame than any 
other birds, at any rato among the hard -bills. Quarrelsomeness and 
pugnacity are certainly not their besetting sins. They quickly learn to 
come to hand for mealworms and seem to know no fear. They appear 
to l)e more or less gregarious, and at night-time 'cuddle-up,' not only 
with each other but other Waxbills. 
" Their call note is a prolonged ' peej) (pause") peep,' some- 
what reminiscent of the call of the Long-tailed Tit. 
" They are very partial to Inseetile Mixture, more so thin 
most hard-bills, but do not partake of sop or fruit. I have never 
seen one bathe yet, nor have I ever seen one which has bathed. 
"Their distinguishing characteristics are their alertness, quick- 
ness of movement and friendliness. 1 wish I had fifty of them, as 1 
feel sure they would agree absolut^dy both among themselves and with 
other birds. 
"I am sorry to say I have one that is apparently (piite hlinil. 
In his cage, or rather her eag^ for it is a hen bird, are a Quail 
Finch nearly done to death by a .Tacarini Finch i sii'k Ooiildian 
Finch ($ ). and at times others have joined the company in the sana- 
torium. The little blind Black-face is wonderful at finding its way 
from perch to perch, and at finding seed and water. It also is won- 
derful at finding the Gouldian, and alas ! its affliction seems to have 
soured its disposition, for it never allows the Gouldian to come near 
it, but chums up vifith the Quail F'inch (a cock by the way) for warmth 
and sympathy. ^Vs the Quail Finch has only six feathers lefi, the 
Waxbill is of course under a misapprehension and would do h'tter to 
chum up with the immaculately clad Gouldian. V>\\i there! Love is 
blind anil to her the out at elbows, shoe-less Quail T'^iiich fulfills al' 
her needs for comfort and support. 
" My Black-faces prefer roosting on a small twiggy branch to 
retiring into a bask<'t or box. At present I have only kept this species 
in cage or birdroom flight. 1 am simply aching for the time to let 
them into the outer flight, and for the past month or two have quite 
envi<'d Rip van Winkle. 
" In conclusion I will only add that as long as T have an 
pviarj-, :inil the price of a pair of these charming and loveabli' birds 
in my pocket, th<'y shall have a place in the aviary, provided always 
they are to be obtained. But may I add one word of warning, passed 
on to me by our popular Editor — Boware of having spoilt children in 
the aviary. Bemember the old, old adage (somewhat modified I own i. 
viz: Thos( whom the Gods vv'ish to destroy they first make greedy. Aye. 
Aye I answ*']-, and awa^' o'er the distant hills comes the same echo 
'Aye Aye' from 'pets' we have helperl across the unknown river, 
leaving behind them a heavy heart and I f<'ar a guilty conscienc", 
anent the crime of indulgence." L. LOVELL-KEAYS . 
Personally, I am more acquainted with it in the roomy 
