Pleasures of Aviculture. 
199 
But the pride of my collection at this time was a pair of 
Plumbeous Redstarts, and two Yellovv-naped Ixulus, both 
charming- and rare. The former in deportment and general 
characteristics resemble the English Redstart, and I need say no 
Photo E. 0. Paije. 
Plumbeous Redstart. 
more to convey the extent to which they held my interest. The 
Ixulus were very tit-like, disappearing amid the foliage and 
appearing again in a very mouse-like fashion — not showily clad, 
but very striking and beautiful in their garments of brown 
olive-yellow and white--their advent was the first appearance 
of the species in an English aviary, and they were the gift of 
my friend and fellow member, the late Lt.-Col. G. A. Perreau. 
I will not lengthen the story unduly to describe the 
interest and charm of numerous Grassfinches, Waxbills 
Weavers, etc., as they came in and disappeared from tJie picture 
some new phase of their life-economy being presented 
with each appearance — thus aviculture never palls upon one, 
there is always something fresh to see and note, the whole 
forming a charm of interest and pleasure from January ist to 
December 31st — an ever-changing picture as the seasons run 
their course. 
