86 Sume Notes on Keeping Parrakeets. 



reared in large cage;?, but some wing exercise is absolutely 

 indispensable if the birds are to be healthy and fertile. When 

 properly acclimatized, Red-rumps can stand any amount of cold, 

 but newly imported birds and those in rough plumage are very 

 sensitive to low temperatm-es. Great care must be taken 

 never to introduce the germ of septic fever into an aviary 

 occupied by Redrumps. They contract the disease on the 

 slightest provocation, and of course always die. In spite of 

 the small size of their beaks, Redrumps are active and success- 

 ful fighters, and are able to kill birds apparently much better 

 armed. A pair of Jvedrumps in breeding condition usually 

 master a pair of Rosellas, though the latter are nearly a third 

 larger. Young cock Redrumps can be distinguished from 

 hens from the time they leave the nest, but at first they have 

 only a few red feathers on the back, and the green ]iarts of their 

 plumage are much tinged with brown. 



M.ANY-coLouRED Parr.\kekt ( Pscphoius iintliicolor). 



Everything which has been said of the Red-rump applies 

 equally to this species, but it is not quite so free a breeder in 

 captivity. The female may be easily distinguished by her 

 brownish upper plumage and red (not yellow) wing bar. 

 Young birds can be sexed at an early age. 



Like the Redrumi) the Many-colour is highly sensitive 

 to septic fever infection, and is, moreover, prone to contract 

 " bird plague " and other septicaemias on the very slightest pro- 

 vocation. The most thorough disinfection of the aviaries is 

 usually of tio avail, and anyone who loses a Many-colour from 

 septicaemia had better give up the species so long as he remains 

 in that place. Provided, however, the detestable microbes are 

 absent. Many-colours are perfectly easy to keep for years. 



Hooded Parrakeet ( Pscphoius cuciiUatus). 



This lovely bird and its near ally, the true Golden 

 shouldered Parrakeet (Pssphotus chrysopterygius) are not so 

 hardy as the two species just mentioned. If an attempt be 



