Breeding Blue Budgerigars. 217 



2 6, 6, 4, 5, 4 years; equalling an average life jier pair of five 

 years. One male was over ten years when it died and came into 

 my possession in full colour. 



Be.ngalese : I liave found " egg-binding " ratlier common with these birds, 

 materially shortening the life of the pairs, as my records with very 

 few exceptions only cover pairs, and the survivor of a pair, would 

 have his or her record commenced again, when a mate was found 

 for it. Records of 20 pairs are: 2, 1, 8, 7, 7, 6; 6; 3; 3; 2; 

 4, 4, 4, 6, 5, 5; 3; 6; 4; 7 years re ipectively. Average 4 

 years. I have ona record for a cock of this species of just over 

 twelve years. 



Blackbird. Red-winged : One pair onI> — with me two years, then cock 

 escaped and hen was given her liberty six months later. 



Bl.\ck-h FADED SiBiA : One pair only. I found them perfect!/ hardy, 

 after they had been with me just over two, years they were sold 

 owing to a change of residence. 



Budgerigar : I have several records of individual birds of over 10 

 years, but the mates of the re^spcctive pairs were not allowed to re- 

 main the same over a p.eriod of years, and consequently lives of 

 pairs are not tabulated e.xcept for losses from " egg-binding," mostly 

 during abnormal weather periods, they are^ long lived, and stand 

 the worst weather really well, providing their aviary is fairly roomy — I 

 know of no species which so quickly suffers from the lack of wingi 

 exercise. I have not kept them for the past ten years, but intend 

 renewing my acquaintance with them next season. 



Bli.bi."!.. Red-eared: 2 'jiairs, 3 and 5 years respectively. 



,, Himalayan Black : I "male only -killed by a sitray dog, which forced 



an entrance into the aviary, iS months aftier 1 recci\cd it. 

 ,, Red-vented : 12 pairs, 4 ^and 6 years respectively. 



„ White-cheeked : Kept in my early days of aviculture wheri I did 



not keep records and their home out-door cages (very rough), 



the two I had lived several years. 

 ,, White-eared: i pair, 3 years. 

 Bullfinch, Rosy-winged Afghan : i cock only, killed by a Black Tanagcr 



after being a ;Jear in the aviary— it passed through rather a 



wet winter out of doors without showing any ill effect. 

 BuNii.NG, Black-headed : Average for 3 pairs 5 years. 



,, Chinese : Came to me on outbreak of war from Capt. Reeves' 



aviary, where they had been for some time still living — also 



kept them inany years ago, but no records. 

 ,, Hair-crcsted : Are severely tried by a wet cold season both as 



to summer and winter periods— out of several pairs kept 

 during later years^ all were sold, after from i to 3 years in 



aviary. 

 ,, Indigo : 3 pairs and several odd cocks, two of the latter living 



9 and 10 years respectively— average for the pairs 4 yearg. 



