3l6 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 



feeds there on canary seed and millet. The Elegant is not 

 unlike it, but has less blue and more yellow in its plumage. 

 A cross has been obtained between the two species, which, 

 strange to say, is considerably larger than the parents, to 

 both of which it bears resemblance. 



Bourke's Parrakeet is a pretty little creature from 

 Central Australia. Its colour is rich brown, but the breast 

 is pink, and it has a blue line over the bill. It is very 

 scarce, and appears to be delicate. 



The well-known Budgerigar, or Undulated Grass 

 Parrakeet is the smallest member of the family met with 

 in Australia. It is green, with a yellow cap and a blue 

 tail, but the upper parts are marked with undulating dark 

 grey lines, which mask the brilliant green, especially on 

 the neck. 



This little bird breeds very freely in confinement, but 

 has developed a tiresome disease called " French Moult," 

 in consequence of its having made its appearance first in 

 some Continental aviaries, when the feathers either fall out 

 and are not reproduced, or, in extreme cases, are never de- 

 veloped, so that the j'oung leave the nest partially, or even 

 entirely, bare, and unable to fiy. The complaint, which is 

 a manifestation of the scrofulous diathesis, is incurable, 

 but may be prevented by not allowing premature breeding, 

 by the introduction of new blood, imported if possible, 

 and by plenty of space for exercise and fresh air. 



The food should consist of canarv seed and white millet, 

 to which oats or coarse oatmeal should be added when 

 there are young ones in the nest. The eggs are five or six 

 in number, often laid on alternate days, and are white 

 like those of every member of the family. 



The male has the naked membrane round the nostrils, 

 technically cere, of a bright blue colour, while in the female 

 it is cream or brown ; it is somewhat difficult to determine 



