256 Breeding of S^vainsoii's Lorikeets. 



Breeding of Swainson's Lorikeets. 



By E. R. Phillips. 



While ill London last January T purchased a pair of 

 Swainson's Lorikeets (Triclioglossiis szvaiiisoiii). 



Upon my return to Ireland I put them in an out-door 

 aviary (12ft. loni;-, 4ft. broad and 7ft. hii^-h), which includes the 

 covered-in portion. A nest barrel was hung four feet from the 

 ground, which they immediately took possession of. At the ena 

 of February the hen was sitting closely upon two eggs, but 

 shortly afterwards one of the eggs was thrown out of the nest. 

 About March 25th a young- bird was hatched, but while the par- 

 ent sat closely she refused to feed, and the young one I found 

 dead a few days afterwards. They went to nest again almost im- 

 mediately and two young birds were hatched about April 28th, 

 but again they did not feed. They had been supplied up to this 

 date with the ordinary milk-sop, containing malt extract, honey, 

 Mellin's food; the changes being run upon sponge cakes and 

 tea biscuit. There was always a dish of canary seed in the 

 aviary. I was greatly disappointed with this bad luck, and took 

 away the nest barrel, with the hope that they would think mat- 

 ters over and mend their ways. 



The hen showed signs \-ery shortly of looking for some 

 nesting position, so I returned the barrel. By June 7th she was 

 sitting again, and I heard the young bird about July 6th. When 

 the time was drawing near I changed the feeding somewhat by 

 giving the usual milk-sop in one dish, and honey in another dish, 

 while I added to the seed menu sunflower seed, as I had noticed 

 that they had taken the seed from time to time in the past. After 

 some days the life of the young bird still being proved by its 

 noise I chanced an inspection, and found that one egg was badly 

 damaged, but the chick was looking strong and healthy. I con- 

 tinued to feed in the same way but added at least a handful of 

 sunflower seed each day, which was always taken. 



On July 22nd the young bird was doing well, very ugly, 

 and reminded one of the illustrations of prehistoric animals. The 

 eyes were open, and the feathers were just pushing through. 



