li'lixhiLs tis .]:'iary !<ircis. 
■■ his back, and in his ik'spcialio)) Iryinj; lo i)cal liic iiilrndcr ot'f with liis 
■■ wings." 
Miss Aklerson ;ii)i)ears to lia\'e had a good many pairs of 
tliese birds, i)iU did not succeed in lM"eedin.g' them. 
Writin.g' of this species in Ar^^oithie Oniitliulugy. i Indson 
says : — 
" This species, the sinaHest of our doves, is common everywhere in 
■' the Plata district where it is called Tortolita (Little Turtle Dovej, Azara's 
'■ name Picui not being known to our countrymen. It is usually seen 
" with its mate, for many individuals usually pair for life, but sometimes a 
■' dozen or twenty unite in one flock. It is resident, comes a great deal 
■' about houses, and is familiar with man, and lively in its habits. It sings i 
" great deal in summer, and even on warm days in winter, but its tones are 
" wanting in the wild pathos which gives a charm to the melody of some 
" of our larger species, the song consisting of a succession of long rather 
■■ loud and somewhat monotonous notes, pleasant to hear, like most bird 
" music, but nothing more." 
" The nest is the usual slight structure of sticks, the eggs two, oval 
" and white. They breed twice or sometimes three times in one season, 
" the last brood being hatched as late as April or May." 

Waxbills as Aviary Birds. 
Bv Wesley T. P.\(;e. F.Z.S., M.B.U.U. 
To the Waxbill-group belong Avadavats, Cordon Bleus, 
and Firefinches, all of which appear to reach us in a more or 
less debilitated condition, needing" careful nursing- up before 
being" put into the aviary, even in almost tropical weather. If 
the weather be hot and appears likely to remain so, then witli 
most of the species a day's resting up will suffice, and the cage 
doors may be left oi)en, .leaving the birds to make their exit at 
will. 
Certain of the species, however, call for extra care, and 
must be kept in the nursery-cage for a longer period — the cage 
or cages should hang in a reasonably sunny position in the 
aviary-shelter; of course, sickly looking individuals must be 
isolated for a time — among those calling for such extra care T 
include Black-cheeked Waxbills, Cordon Bleus, Firefinches, 
etc.; and for the lack of this care there are many losses that 
