39 



head, outer wing coverts, and under tail coverts are 

 blue. 



The Swift Parrakeet (Na?iodes disco/or) is an Aus- 

 tralian species which appears to be somewhat closely 

 related to the Psephotus Parrakeets, and it requires 

 similar treatment in confinement. It is curious that 

 although this bird is extremely common in South 

 Australia and Tasmania i); is both rare and costly in 

 England. Those who have kept this species report 

 that it is not delicate. It is rather smaller than the 

 Many-coloured. Its general colour is bright green ; 

 the face, forehead, under wing coverts, and under tail 

 coverts scarlet, the crown blue, a band bordering the 

 red of the cheeks and throat yellow, the tail feathers 

 brownish-red. 



The Budgerigar (^Melopsittacus undulaUis) is the 

 commonest of all foreign cage birds. Great numbers 

 are imported ever}^ year from Australia, and many are 

 bred in England and on the Continent. It is the 

 hardiest of birds, appearing perfectly indifferent to 

 the coldest weather. Its diet is Canary and millet 

 seed. It is the easiest of foreign birds to breed, and 

 a single pair will often rear young even in a small 

 cage. In order, however, to breed them successfully, 

 it is desirable to turn at least three pairs into a roomy 

 aviary provided with cocoa nut husks ; under such 

 conditions they will often rear a large number of 

 3^oung. 



I have never been able to understand or appre- 

 ciate the misguided ingenuity which has succeeded, 

 at the cost of much trouble and patience, in effacing 

 the rich colour and beautiful markings of the normal 

 Budgerigar, and producing that sickly washed-out 

 albino, the yellow variety. A blue variety has also 

 been produced. A great many Budgerigars are im- 

 ported every year from the Continent, and are sold 

 very cheaph'. Amateurs should avoid buying them. 



