The Stanley I'arrak-ccf. 97 



The Stanley Parrakeet 



( Platycercus icteros). — A Warning. 



Bv TnK Marouis of Tavistock. 



From lack of space and other causes 1 am j^ivini;' up the 

 regular breeding of Stanley Parrakeets which 1 have carried on 

 for about nine years, with the result that there is now in Europe 

 an unrelated stock of this pretty species, quite sufficient, // 

 properly managed, to render aviculturists independent of 

 importation from Australia. 



I should like to emphasise the fact, however, that Stanley 

 owners must take a great deal more pains over the housing and 

 mating of their stock than bird-keepers have ever done in the 

 past with any parrakeet, budgerigars alone excepted, if in a few 

 years' time Stanleys are not to become as scarce as Elegants 

 and New Zealands. 



During the whole time I liave been breeding Stanleys no 

 hen, to my own knowledge, has been inii)orted from Australia, 

 and but very few cocks. Of late years 1 have found it difificult 

 to get £2 IDS. for my young birds. When I began breeding 

 one was lucky to get a hen for £6, and that, or a considerably 

 higher price, is what bird-keepers will again have to pay if my 

 warning is neglected, unless I am altogether mistaken. 1 have 

 done my bit, and the future of the species in Europe now rests 

 with those who, at different times, have secured my young or 

 imported stock. 







Keeping and Breeding the Gold-breasted Waxbill. 



By Wesley T. Page, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 



Of all the beautiful, wee members of this group none 

 appeal to us more than Sporaeginthiis suhflavits, for it combines, 

 wee size, ability to live in our climate, with exquisite beauty, 

 and is mostly to be obtained at a reasonable figure — a quartet 

 Oi qualities which are specially attractive to the aviculturist. 



It is, however, by no means a free breeder, even in large, 

 naturally-planted aviaries — I kept them for many years in very 

 natural quarters before they even attempted to nest, though 

 complete success came my way later on. Recently, I came across 



