Some Notes on Keeping Parrakeets. 123 



St. Thomas' Coniire (Co)utn(s pcrtiiiax) had eggs, did not hatch 

 Sikhim Siskin ( Chrysoiiiitris sf^iiiuidcs) had eggs, did not hatch 

 Black Seedfinch (Mclopyrrha nigra) had eggs, did not hatch. 

 Cirl Buntings (Embcnza chins) had eggs, did not hatcli. 



A very poor record. 



-<>^-fO- 



Some Notes on Keeping Parraheets. 



By The Marquis of Tavistock. 

 (Continued from page loi). 



pal;eornis parrakeets. 



The Long-tailed Parrakeets of Asia and Africa are more 

 tolerant of close confinement than the Australian species, and 

 most of them will live quite hapi)ily in a good sized cage, and 

 lay eg'gs in a small aviary; for successful and regular breeding 

 however, fresh air and flying exercise are usually needed. 

 Most, if not all, species f^re normally single-brooded and have an 

 inclination to l)reed very early in the year, a habit to be discour- 

 aged as far as possible when they are kept out of doors. For 

 a considerable part of ihe year the sexes show little or no 

 affection for one anotlier, and the cock leads a somewhat 

 hen-pecked existence. This lack of conjugal affection should 

 be borne in mind when giving lairds their liberty at a time when 

 the sexual instinct is dormant. A male Broadtail will not 

 willingly desert his partner at any season, but a Palaeornis wil! 

 clear off as if glad to be rid of the vi.xen, and anyone who hai 

 witnessed her selfish or bullying conduct w\\\ hardly blame him ! 

 Palc'eornis Parrakeets are uncertain birds when allowed their 

 freedom, and different individuals of the same species may 

 behave in a variety of ways, both sensible and foolish. Some 

 never go more than a few hundred yards from the place where 

 •they were first released; some travel long distances, but possess 

 a good homing instinct and never fail to return ; some stay wel! 

 for months and then wander off for no apparent reason and lose 

 themselves; others go right away the day they are let out. The 



