Sovic Notes on Keeping Parrakeets. 29 



Broadtails at liberty are a charming" addition to the bird 

 life of an Eng-lish garden, their graceful flight, lovely plumage 

 and interesting" habits making' them a continual joy to their 

 owner. They are less likely to get shot than many other 

 Parrots as they do not betray their presence by loud cries, nor 

 do they fly far from their home. Pairs which have nested in 

 an aviary will, if there is suitable cover for both summer and 

 winter, stay proxided food is always supplied to them. A few 

 nest-boxes fixed under the eaves of the house, and in the trees 

 are useful to attract them and prevent them from going" down 

 chimneys when prospecting" for nesting" sites, as they are otlier- 

 wise inclined to do. 



Young" birds, bred at liberty, are best caught up for a 

 time as soon as they are no longer fed by their parents. If left 

 to their own devices they become very indepndent, straying" to 

 considerable distances and supporting" themselves on natural 

 food and the produce of neighbouring' orchards — a proceeding' 

 not always viewed with favour by the owners of the fruit. The 

 damage done in one's own garden by a few pairs is, however, 

 very slight indeed. 



The parrakeets' feeding tray, upon which a supply of seed 

 must always be kept, is best constructed so that it can be 

 converted into a trap for catching up sick birds, etc., and 

 out, and run up an exhorbitant seed bill. 



Parrakeets smaller than a Rosella should be caught up 

 in autumn, or they are almost certain to be destroyed by owls 

 during the winter months If owls have been allowed to 

 acquire a taste for Parrakeets, through Budgerigars and other 

 small species being unwisely left out late in the year, even 

 Rosellas are not safe, but birds the size of a Pennant are never 

 taken. 



If a bird at liberty loses its mate it will always stray after 

 a few weeks or months in search of a fresh one and be lost. 

 Consequently the widower or widow must be caught up or 

 provided with a fresh partner. As a rule, the new bird will sta.' 

 with the other, and it is very unusual for it to induce it to leave. 

 When a pair of birds are to be let out for the first time, choose a 

 fine calm evening, and release the cock just as it is getting dusk. 



