N. Wharton-Tigar—Breeding the Black-crowned Waxhill 323


sunflower, and millet seeds with liberal supplies of greenfood, while

the parents were feeding the young birds. Their desire for green-

food seems to have waned somewhat, although it is still supplied in

smaller quantities. Galahs are most interesting birds to keep, amusing

in their habits, and kept singly, of an affectionate disposition, but they

have a well-developed propensity for eating through the woodwork

of their aviaries, so that it is necessary to protect these from their

wonderfully sharp beaks by stretching wire-netting over all the

vulnerable spots.



BREEDING THE BLACK-CROWNED WAXBILL


(Estrilda nonnula)


By N. Wharton-Tigar


This Waxbill was very rare in captivity until 1935, when Mr. C. S.

Webb brought a number from the Cameroons, as well as pairs of

Estrilda atricapilla, known as the Black-capped Red-flanked Waxbill.

Mr. Webb has given me some particulars which may be of general

interest.


They are forest Waxbills, living in the open spaces among the

undergrowth. Estrilda nonnula nests in low bushes, while E. atricapilla

is often found nesting in small trees. Their distribution extends from

the Cameroons, through Central Africa, to the western side of Kenya

Cclony. E. nonnula when first caught is easy to establish, while E .

atricapilla is much more difficult, and has to be fed on the grass-seed

on which they feed in their wild state for some little time. I understand

that these are the only two Black-crowned or Black-capped Waxbills

in existence. It is curious that being in many respects similar in

appearance they should live, as they often do, side by side as distinct,

species and with different habits.


My pair of E. nonnula made an attempt at nesting last year, but

got no further than laying tiny rounded eggs of creamy white colour.


In May this year they were again turned out in an aviary, with

inside shelter and outside covered run. With them was a pair of the

beautiful Red-headed Parrot Finch ( Erythrura prasina) ; in the inner



