The History of the Budgerigar. 201 



' possible, and to arrange for the monopoly of the others remaining in 

 ' tlic lady's possession. The latter was the offer accepted, as the lady 

 ' would not part with her old breeding pairs,, atid that is exactly how 

 ' matters stand — the monopoly of these charming, unique, beautiful birds, 

 ■ remains in our hands at least for a few seasons so it is unlikely they 

 ' will become at all common for some years. 



" There is no question but that we are on the eve of most interest- 

 " ing experiments . It is most satisfactory to be able to say 



" this newly acquired variety is no freak, it is assured and established, 

 " its colour isi absolutely fixed, and l!icy breed true to colour and type. 

 " They are not lacking in any way, but fine, robust specimens, whilst the 

 '■ type is even an improvement upon the original imported strain." 



" Whilst to some extent they have been in-bred, no signs of such 

 " arc in c vidcnce, because each generation has more and more fixed their 

 " pigmentary tissues in the production of this strain by freely crossing 

 " with the Green and Yellow varieties. In each instance where this cross 

 " has been made the young have been true to the colour of the respective 

 " varieties, by which I mean where the blue and green have mated the 

 " young truly represented either the Blue or Green type— no spots or 

 " freaks, no mismarked or unsightly young. Personally, I am hoping, 

 " sincerely hoping, for a few of the former, so that I may by careful 

 " study and, by systematic mating, create something equally startling as 

 " the Blues 



" A: present I believe the whole of the Blues living to-day are 

 " in three hands only,— the lady already spoken of, Mons. Pauvvels, and 

 '■ thf London Zoological Society, a pair having been presented to them 

 " by Monsieur Pauvvels.* I do not think it will remain so. Keen as 

 " Monsieur Pauvvels is to hold unique specimens, his interest in our mutual 

 " hobby and study of bird life, will prevent him reserving the study of 

 " this interesting variety to himself— his main object in this instance will be 

 " to restrict, as far as possible, their becoming at all common for some 

 " years." 



In "Bird Notes " of the following year (1912) there 

 there is a =mggestive note (p. 216) by the Rev. J. M. Paterson 

 on the influence of dull light, or rather protection from direct 

 sunlight, on the production of the blue colour, which is due 

 to loss of the protective yellow pigment not needed under 

 such conditions. Young bred by hiin ;are mentioned on page 

 297 of the same volume as showing indications of blue and 

 white in their plumage. 



M. Pauvvcl's collection of birds was dispersed in 191 2 

 and many of Iiis birds found new homes in England, among 



