AllRiglits Reserved. May, 1919. 



BIRD NOTES: 



THE 



JOURNAL OF THE FOREIGN BIRD CLUB. 



Some Notes on Keeping Parraheets. 



By The Marquis of Tavistock. 



(Continued from page 88). 



SOME RELATIVES OF THE BROADTAIL FAMILY OF 



PARRAKEETS. 



More or less closely allied to the typical family of 

 Platycerci are a number of Parrakeets. most of them rare in 

 captivity, and possessing" certain peculiarities of their own. I 

 will only mention those of which I have had practical experience. 



Bluf.-bonnet (Nortliiclla hacinafogaster). 



Two races of this bird exist which were formerly 

 considered separate species. Typical specimens of the northern 

 red-vented form, which is by far the handsomer, have a large 

 maroon patch on the wings, and red feathers under the tail. 



The sexes are much alike, but the female has a smaller 

 red patch on the belly. Bluebonnets should be fed and treated 

 like the typical broadtails ; they are extremely active birds, and 

 pine away if kept in small cages. They are not free breeders 

 and success is only likely to be attained in a good sized aviary. 

 They are extremely hardy as regards cold, and adults in good 

 plumage can often be turned out of doors in winter when newly 

 imported — treatment which is very rarely advisable with 

 Parrakeets. On the other hand no bird, not even the Many- 

 colour, is more sensitive to septic fever and bird plague, and 

 newly imported Bluebonnets should be carefully quarantined 

 for 8 weeks, even if they seem in perfect health on arrival. 



Bluebonnets are exceedingly vicious with all other birds, 

 and only single hens should be trusted in mixed company of any 



