1 62 Some Notes on Keef'ing Parrakcets. 



crown and the a])sence of tlie sj)atiilate primary. The pink 

 areas of the phniiai^e are equally brilliant in both sexes. 



Kixc Parrakkkt (Aprosmictns cyanupygins). 



Only one species- the least beautiful — of the genus 

 A p)<)S)iiictiis is at all well known in confinement. The Knig 

 i'arrakeet is essentially an a\iary bird, for, although it will drag 

 out an existence of many years in a cage, it is neither happy nor 

 interesting when so kept. The King should be fed on the 

 same seed mixture as a Broadtail, with peanuts and plenty of 

 fruit and green food. Kings are great fruit eaters, and a pair 

 will consume a whole apple in a couple of days. The species 

 is a very hardy one as regards cold, but it is highly sensitive to 

 septic fever infection and is liable to contract tuberculosis in 

 an aviary which has been allowed to become foul through lack 

 of disinfection with salt water. The latter solution must not, 

 however, be applied too strong in an aviary where Kings are 

 kept, or the birds may be poisoned. 



In mixed company the King usually proves himself a 

 coward and a bully, where parrakeets are concerned, though 

 not actually a murderer, and harmless with birds of otlicr 

 orders. Kings are quite ready to breed in confinement, and 

 need a good-sized nest-box. Sometimes they lay and incubate 

 on the floor of the aviary. They do fairly well at liberty, but I 

 have never known them succeed in bringing off young. 

 Young birds resemble the female until the first complete moult; 

 the " butterfly " markings on the wing do not always denote 

 a male, but if a green-headed bird shows them very plainly, it 

 is more likely to be a young cock than a hen. 



Crimson-winged Parrat^ekt (Ptistes eryihroptcrus). 

 All that has been said of the King as regards diet, disposi- 

 tion, and liability to disease, applies to this bird also, save it is 

 more vicious with parrakeet neighbours, and not subject to 

 tul)erculosis. Hemp or sunflow^er seed is an indispensable part 

 of the food, and without it the birds do not keep their condition. 

 A nest-box with a long spout is generally preferred to one of 

 the ordinary shape. 



Crimson-wings would be most satisfactory birds at liberty 

 were it not for their habit of descending chimneys and 



