AU rights reserved. . January, 1911. 



BIRD NOTES: 



THE 



JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. 



Sky Blue Budgerigars. 



By O. Millsum. 



Hanging alongside other illustrations of charming birds 

 in Mons. Pauvvels' birdroom, is a picture of Budger- 

 rigars, depicting the original green, a pair of the now also 

 common Yellow, and a pair of Blues. When I iirst saw that 

 picture the idea struck me as being the work of some imagin- 

 ative brain. Blue Budgerigars had been heard of in the past, 

 as evidenced by the illustration just mentioned, and the fact 

 that the plate is by no means of recent production, neither 

 is the colour represented nearly as beautiful as that of the present 

 specimens, still, I always had the impression it was one of 

 the things we should hear of but never see. Often have I 

 gazed at that picture, with longing eyes, but not once did 

 I dream of ever seeing a living specimen, much less to keep a 

 team, line, robust, breeding somewliat freely, and always true 

 to colour. It is, nevertheless a dream now fully realized. 



I well remember being called to Mons. Pauvvels' side 

 and the (][uestion asked — How would I like Blue Budgerigars ? 

 How indeed ! was it possible > Was there such a specimen 

 living? If so, was it an isolated specimen and a freak? 

 Such thoughts and many others crowded my mind 

 with lightning rapidity, and for a few minutes I could 

 scarcely think the question asked was made in all sincerity. 

 Yes, indeed, I would like them, but again, was it possible 

 to secure them ? It was. Mons. Pauvvels, with that keen avi- 

 cultural zeal of his had discovered the whereabouts of the 

 original strain, heard of by many, but seen by very, very 

 few. We were fully cognisant that a Dutchman some 25 

 years ago had produced this charming variety, but at 

 his death they had been disposed of, to whom and to what 

 place they had been transferred remained unknown, until by 



