All rights reserved]. [October 190S. 



BIRD NOTES: 



THE 



JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. 



Botes on the IDiolet parrot in captivity. 



(Pio?ucs violace7is.~) 

 By Mrs. K. Leslie Miller. 



It has been suggested to me by our Editor, that I should 

 send a few particulars as to the habits and disposition of the Violet 

 Parrot in captivity. I need hardly say that the one in my 

 possession is a very handsome little parrot, because Mr. Good- 

 child's beautiful picture of her speaks for itself. My bird was 

 brought over from British Guiana by our member, Mr. Harper, 

 and has been with me now just over a year. I have always made 

 a special pet of this bird and we are constant companions and 

 very fond of each other indeed. 



For the rest, I can say that she has a very excellent 

 appetite, a most excruciating voice and the richest and softest of 

 plumage ; most beautifully are the colours blended, and, when 

 taking flight (as she often does) across a large sunny room, the 

 ■word " Dusky" would not describe her at all. Mr. Goodchild has 

 taken the greatest trouble to paint a faithful portrait of my pet 

 and I hope to exhibit her in perfect plumage again this year. 



Although quite healthy, this parrot is delicate, requiring a 

 good deal of attention. She will not bathe ; but allows me to 

 sponge her down and dry her on a soft towel ; she is then 

 brushed and her toilet is finished for the day. 



I give my parrots for staple food, a mixture of canary seed, 

 paddy rice, dari and white millet and two dessert spoonful's of 

 Capern's mixture a day, as well as fruit, nuts, cake and green 

 food of sorts. 



This diet is varied and regulated according to the condition 

 of the bird, time of year, etc. I have never heard of a Pionus 

 that talked; but my bird makes herself understood and has the 



