250 



jforeiGii :JBirO (Queries aub iReplies. 



All queries are answered by post. A few which appenr to be of general 

 interest are published, with the answers, in this Magazine. 



COCKATEEIvvS. 



Question I have just bought a pair of Cockateels, newly 

 imported birds, wlilch I have turned into a large indoor aviary 

 with some Budgerigars. The cock bird seems fairly healthy, 

 but the hen is a little puffy and seems to breath rather heavily. 



I feed on canary, millet, and oats. I have put in a little 

 soaked bread and a sponge cake. 



What had I better give.? Would it be well to catch her 

 and put her in a small cage and keep her in a warm room for a 

 few days and feed her on soft food only } Are ants' eggs any 

 good .? Or would you leave them in the aviary (14ft. bv 6ft bv 

 6ft.) } 



I have not kept Cockateels before, so hardly know what to 

 do. ^ A. vS. 



Anscver: If the Cockateel has caught a chill, the only 

 treatment likely to be of any avail is zuarmth. Therefore it 

 would be well to do as you suggest and keep her for a time in 

 a cage in a warm room. Except, perhaps, when they have 

 3'oung, Cockateels do not require anything but seed and green 

 food, and I should advise you to give this bird nothing but 

 plain canary seed, spray or "Indian" millet, and plenty of 

 fresh groundsel, free from rain or dew. If, however, she seems 

 thin, a little hemp may do good. Some crushed egg-shell 

 might be advantageous. H. R. F. 



ALEXANDRINEvS. 



Question : Will you please tell me, through Bird Notes, 

 what a " Rock Parrot " is, and what is the difference between a 

 " Rock Parrot" advertised at 10/- and an Indian Ring-necked 

 Parrot at about 4/-. E. B. 



AnSiVer : There are three or four species commonly sold as 

 "Rock Parrots" or "Alexandrine Parrakeets," and the 

 differences between them are very slight. The species most 

 commonly imported is, according to Mr. Seth-Suiith, Pala:ornis 

 nepalensis. The Indian Ring-necked Parrakeet is Palceornis 

 torquaia, and is a considerably smaller bird than any of the 

 Alexandrines. The smaller, and cheaper, bird is generally to 

 be preferred as a pet— but it is usually impossible to break 



