26 So})ic A'otcs on Keeping Parrakects. 



paddv rice is greatly appreciated by the beautiful Pin-tailed 

 I'arrot-l-'inch (Nonpareil). When feeding young- they should 

 have access to insectile mixture, and also be supplied with some 

 live insects or their lar^ae; e.g. live ants' " eggs," etc. 



I need not pause here to speak of their powers of endur- 

 ance, as that is being dealt with in another article. 



To be conihuied. 

 <^^<. 



Some Notes on Keeping Parraheets. 



Platycerci atul B((rn((rdii. 

 By The Marquis of Tavistock. 



Birds of this family are entirely unsuited to close 

 confinement, and, to keep them permanently immured in a 

 parrot cage is an act of cruelty, which cannot be too strongly 

 condemned. As pets, the hens are sometimes satisfactory, but 

 the cocks are almost always aggressive and spiteful. In their 

 vocal performances they compare favourably with other parrots, 

 none actually screech except under the influence of pain or 

 extreme fear, and many of their calls are pretty and melodious. 

 They are satisfactory aviary birds, and, when properly acclim- 

 atized, can be wintered out of doors if their enclosure has -. 

 sunny aspect and a good shelter to roost in. When newly 

 imported, like most tropical and semi-tropical birds, they need 

 warmth and careful protection from draughts ; in case of an 

 illness, the result of chill, a temperature of from 80-85 degrees 

 will generally effect a cure. For breeding, an aviary of not less 

 than 18 feet x 8 feet x 8 feet, inclusive of a shelter 6 feet x 8 feet 

 X 8 feet, is desirable. Success may be attained in a much smaller 

 place, but it is somewhat doubtful if the eggs prove fertile and 

 the embryos vigorous. The best form of shelter for any Parra- 

 keet aviary is an ordinary shed with one half of the front boarded 

 up from top to bottom. If necessary, a door can be put on the 

 other half with a glass window in it. jirotected l-)y wire netting 

 This makes it possible for the birds to be shut in during bad 

 wenther and at night. A heated shelter with an outdoor flight 

 attached is not desirable for Parrakeets. and is productive 

 of many fatal chills. Birds needing warmth are best kept 



