Breeding of Swainson's Lorikeets. 257 



July 29th. feathers were showing on the head, breast and 

 shoulders, the rest of the body being still bare. The young one 

 seemed very active and was seen to look out of the nest-barrel 

 from time to time. 1 could also see, without going into the 

 aviary, the hen lying on her side, and the youngster seemed to 

 play with her, pushing its head through her feathers. During 

 the feeding there was a good deal of noise, in which the cock 

 bird seemed to do his share. August 4th, the feathers were in- 

 creasing upon the head, and the primary feathers of the tail were 

 showing growth, but the body was still without covering. Sun- 

 flower seed was still being devoured at the rate of about two 

 handfuls a day, and ripe gooseberries were greatly appreciated. 

 The young bird could be seen to walk about the nest barrel in a 

 very clumsy fashion. August i8th, the youngster was well cov- 

 ered with feathers except the back of the neck, the tail being 

 about an inch and a half long. The beak, which up to now was 

 brown, is, at this date (Nov. i ), just showing a tinge of red. It 

 continually appeared at the entrance of the nest-barrel, but if 

 anyone came near, promptly returned. The eye is quite dark, 

 but very bright. It is wonderful how beautifully clean the nest- 

 barrel is always kept. 



September ist, I went into the aviary to have a look at 

 the young bird in the barrel; it was evidently frightened, and 

 flew right out through the enclosure into the flight. With the 

 exception of the length of the tail, the colour of the eye and 

 beak, it was the same as its parents, but the colourings appear to 

 be far brighter; it certainly was a lovely bird. For the first two 

 or three days it was very shy, and the father seemed to have 

 taken full charge of it. It was most amusing and interesting to 

 see the cock bird getting his charge into the enclosure for the 

 night, w^here they both took the shelter of the nest barrel, the 

 hen staying outside on one of the perches. The cock bird now 

 became quite jealous of the mother bird, and if she came near, 

 he promptly attacked her. He became so vicious that at last I 

 had to separate her by placing her in a cage insde the aviary. 

 If this step had not been taken I feel sure he would have killed 

 her. Even when I was removing her, the father and the young- 

 ster flew on to my hand and attacked her. After the young bird 

 had left the nest fourteen days I took it away and placed it in an 



