ii8 Correspondence. 



of UK'olini^- lli-j (Iclicil aiul iiUTe-ascd charLjcs, and all t>li(iuld approve. 



May 5tli, 1919. (iMiss) MARY CiI':RRARD. 



CURIOUS yVfTACJ-JAll'-NT BETWEI'.N COCK PAKRAKEETS. 



SiK, — Tile followiiiy ralluT cni-ious attaclmu'iit helwccn two cock l^rds 

 niav l)c worth publisliing in " 15. i\'.'' 



Lasl summer I had a pair of African Ring-neck Parrakeets (Palaeoruis 

 docilis) and a pair of .\lexandrines 1 1', alcxandra ). The Ring-necks and 

 cock Alexandrine had complete liberty, the hen .Alexandrine being kept in an 

 aviary on tiie top of which the other birds were fed. During the winter the 

 hen Ring-neck strayed and was lost, and the cock, who had always been 

 on good terms with the Alexandrine, became more friendly with In'm tha ; 

 ever after the loss of his mate. The two were always together and often 

 used to marcli round and round one another, making remarks expressive of 

 mutual affection and esteem. In l"'ebrnary 1 shut the Alexandrine up with 

 the hen. At first he was miserable at the loss of his liberty and the com- 

 panionship of Ins haclielor friend, while the King-neck was equally unhappy, 

 and spent all his time trying to gei into the aviary. In time, however, 

 the Alexandrine became suflicientiv reconciled to respond to his mate and feed 

 her, but he remained on equally cordial terms with the cock Rhig-neck, and 

 they fed one another through the wire netting. Some weeks ago I obtained 

 another mate for the Ring-neck. He did not take to her for some time, 

 but ultimatelv, when she canic in.to lireeding condition, he consented to set 

 up housekeeping with her in a dead tiee. He still, however, remains faithful 

 to the Alexandrine and feeds him in his spare tii.ie 



The two hens consider their husband's behaviour very silly, and the 

 Alexandrine often cuts short t!ie Ring-neck's demonstrations by biting his toes. 



It is not unconmion for two unmated male birds to develop a strong 

 attachment for one another, which may even lead them to refuse female socictv 

 when it is subsequently offered them, lau, 1 have never known such a friend- 

 ship continue when the gentlemen were enjovhig the blessings of married life! 

 April 22nd, 1919. (Tlie Maiquis of) TAVISTOCK. 



-<>- 



BUDCERIGARS A\D Tlll':iR OLOUR V.\R1ETIES. 



Siu, — I am one of the no\iee-n:en'i)ers, bui iiossibl\ a few notes of my 

 Budgerigars and how T lirecd them may be of nilerest. 



Thirst, let me ->;'y how nite'-c.stcd i am m the ccJoin- varieties of this 

 beautiful and interesting ?pecW'S. .At prese^it 1 have (Ireens, Yellows (som^ 

 o; these have blue tails, others have r.earlv wlhie tails and wings'). Olive- 



