?,^ PsepJwtits Parvakerts at Liberty. 



Psephotus Parrakeets at Liberty. 



Bv THF. Marquis of Tavistock. 



{ConliniictI jroin pa<^c 13). 



Until last year I had nc\er tried Hooded Parrakeets at 

 liberty, but having a hne acrlunatised pair and some spare 

 birds to fall back u])()n in case 1 lost them, 1 resolved to 

 make the attemj)!. I tiiercf'ore chose a tine still day in June, 

 put the hen out in a cage in a conspicuous place, opened the 

 aviary dooi;, and retired to the house to watch developments. 

 The cock soon made his exit and after flying about a little, 

 returned, as 1 had hoped to his imprisoned mate. He was 

 indeed a lovely sight as he darted about against a background 

 of flowers and green foliage. All the Psephoti are very grace- 

 ful on the wing, but the Hooded is the swiftest and most 

 graceful of them all, and the cock looked iiiorc like a great 

 butterfly than a bird as he flitted to and fro in his gorgeous 

 garment of black, yellow, and pale glittering blue. 



For a time peace reigned in the garden and all went 

 well. A few old cock Broadtails dropped in for a hasty meal, 

 but they were too busy with family cares to think of inter- 

 fering with their new neighbour. Then the young Red-rumps 

 turned up and the cheeky little hen^ though only a few weeks 

 out of the nest, went for the Hooded almost as soon as 

 she saw him; but he soon sent her about her business, and 

 again everything was quiet. Half an hour later, however, a 

 more formidable enemy arrived on the scene in the shape of a 

 pair of Blue-bonnets. Like all their kind they were inquisi- 

 tive, mischievous and intensely spiteful, reigning practically 

 supreme in that part of the garden, the only rival they feared — 

 a cock Brown's — having removed himself elsewhere during the 

 nesting" season. Having driven oft" the Hooded after a brief 

 skirmish, the male Blue-bonnet and his mate began to climb 

 about the cage which contained the hen, greatly terrifying her 

 by their threats, insults, and hostile demonstrations. This was 

 too much for lier husband^ v/ho returned bravely to the charge 

 and a sharp battle ensued between him and the cock Blue- 

 bonnet. The latter had the advantage in size, weight, and 



