184 I' our Species oj Loz'c birds. 



is the master, and did not seem to solicit its companion's 

 attention. Red Shinins^' are very active birds; they fly to and 

 fro and walk about with long', quick strides, and the action 

 ot a pheasant, rather than a parrot. I never see them on the 

 ground, though " (ieorgie " is very terrestrial in his habits. 



Experience and observation, coupled with what I have 

 heard from the friend who sent the birds and had much better 

 luck with them than I, makes me think that the right way to 

 treat newly-im])orted Red Shining is to turn them out all 

 together in a room, giving them a rich and varied diet and not 

 stinting them of anything". Caging is bad for such active, 

 nervous birds ; it impairs their health and lowers their spirits. 

 Anyhow, that is what I shall do if I ever receive a fresh lot. 

 One has to live and learn ! 



Four Species of Lovebirds. 



By J. W. Bearbv. 



Lavkndkr-hk.aded Lovebird {Agaponiis ania [presum- 

 ably]) : 1 purchased my pair in October 1921, when they were 

 in very pitiable condition, with flights badly broken, etc. 



I have found them very timid and most difTicult to tame ; 

 when approached they crouch in a corner of their flight and 

 utter repeatedly a snake-like hiss. The hen in particular, in 

 spite of this timidity, is very pugnacious toward all the other 

 occupants of the flight, the largest of which are a pair of I^lum- 

 hcads. An amusing" and curious mode of attack is. by rolling 

 over on her back and fighting" with claws and beak — thus she 

 invariably manages to frighten any opponent. 



Flight very rapid and climbing powers simply wonderful. 



Their favourite seed are : white millet, good fat oats and 

 hemp. Millet sprays they are particularly fond of, and they 

 can easily eat a large spray per diem. Cracked sunflower 

 they relish (no need to crack it. Ed.). A bundle of seeding 

 grass is a special treat, and they spend hours pulling it to pieces. 



I have repeatedly seen the male feeding his mate, but, 

 so far, they have made no attempt to go to nest. 



In this flight 1 have bred (joldfinch-Linnet hybrids, and 



