THE LORIES AND LORIKEETS. 181 



claws blackisli. It is fully the size of a jackdaw (length, 13in. 

 to 13|in. ; wings, o|-in. to 5|^in. ; tail, 4|in. to 5f in. It has 

 lately been proved to be indigenous throughout the whole of 

 Australia and Tasmania. 



When Charles Jamrach imported the first couple, and sold 

 them to Mr. E. Linden of Eadolfzell for ten guineas, he saw, as 

 an experienced dealer, that this species of bird must be hardy, 

 because it lives chiefly on seed ; and, in truth, with the excep- 

 tion of a few failures at first, the supposition has proved correct. 

 This splendid bird is more and more frequently imported, can 

 be easily managed, and, after a short time, bred with good 

 results. It would be too wide a digression to enter upon the 

 breeding more particularly. Mr. A. Heublein, sculptor, of 

 Coburg, was, in 1873, the first to make the attempt ; and then 

 several other bird fanciers reared Blue Mountain Lories, Mr. 

 K. Petermann, merchant, of Eostock, having even bred them to 

 the third generation. 



Its splendid colours, its uncommon lively, charmingly droll 

 manner, no less than its aptitude for breeding, have gained 

 for the Blue Mountain Lory numerous friends in an exceedingly 

 short time, and from amateurs and breeders everywhere obtained 

 for it a cordial welcome. In fact, one can scarcely imagine 

 more beautiful and charming birds tlian a pair of these lories 

 as described by Dr. Frenzel and Mr. Scheuba, as they hop side- 

 ways in a circle, with droll gestures, nodding their heads 

 expressively, then rolling over and wrestling, shaking hands, and 

 nibbling one's finger without really biting, &c. They would be 

 much greater favourites if they did not so often utter their dis- 

 tracting piercing cry, which can only wdth difficulty be silenced. 

 Although strong and hardy, the Blue Mountain Lory must be 

 carefully protected from dangerous influences ; thus, it must 

 never be kept in too hot a room, and any sudden change of diet 

 must be strictly avoided. However, as I said before, with 

 proper treatment it lives, and is healthy for many years in 

 captivity. 



Its food consists of seeds, especially canary seed, oats, and a 

 little hemp, with some moistened and well-squeezed-out egg- 

 b''ead, or stale wheaten bread ; instead of the latter, cake or 

 biscuit may sometimes be given. It is essentially necessary 

 that good sweet fruit should be given daily. Great caution is 

 needed in giving green food ; but, on the other hand, twigs for 

 gnawing may always be supplied. 



