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bird, but not nearly so hard}^ as the Coiiures — in fact 

 it requires to be kept warm, and, in tliis country, 

 thrives best as an indoor pet. Some years ago it was 

 considered a great rarity, but lately a good many have 

 been imported. It is a bird which the aviculturist will 

 always do well to secure, when he can get it at a 

 moderate price, Canary seed and fruit, such as 

 banana, are all that it requires for food. Like all 

 Brotogerys, most examples are easily tamed, and then 

 become very amusing and affectionate pets. 



The Varied Lorikeet {Ptilosdera versicolor) has 

 only been known in this country, as a living bird, for 

 a little over a 3^ear. It is a very beautiful and 

 attractive bird, though I understand that some who 

 have kept it find it somewhat dull and uninteresting. 

 It is stated that the brighter-coloured birds are by no 

 means necessarily the cocks, and that the difference in 

 plumage is merely due to age, the pale examples 

 being immature. The Varied Lorikeet is a native of 

 the North of Australia, where it feeds almost entirely 

 on the honey or pollen of flowers. In captivity it 

 appears to thrive on the milk sop which forms the 

 most satisfactory diet for Lorikeets, and soft fruit. 



The Red-collared Lorikeet {Trichoglossus 

 rubritorques) is another rare Australian Lorikeet, very 

 closely allied to the common Swainson's or "Blue- 

 mountain Lory." This species is found in the North 

 of Australia, and the Swainson's in the east. It is 

 readily distinguished from the Blue-mountain by the 

 red collar, from which it takes its name. A few 

 examples were obtained by the Zoo in 1900, and lately 

 a well known dealer has had some for sale. 



