1/6 The Exf client Szvaiiisoji's Lorikeet. 



I should add tliat I liave no doul)t that a Svvainson's 

 Lorikeet conld be kept in good health on a syrup made of 

 golden syrup " and water with a little biscuit or bread in it. 

 of which they are very fond, with an addition of fruit and green 

 food. In this connection it is on record that a Queensland 

 farmer's wife tamed hundreds of Swainson's by providing sugar 

 and water, and that in their native habitat with eucalyptus within 

 easy reach. Some years ago I kept some Ceram Lories in 

 perfect health on bananas and sponge cakes — but that was 

 before the war ! 



As my birds are kept with seed-eaters and always have 

 access to seed, it is quite plain that they do not naturally eat 

 seed when they can get other things, for they never appear to 

 touch it. 



When I first put a Blue INIountain Lory into an aviary 

 containing a miscellaneous collection of hard-bills and soft-bills, 

 I waited in fear and trembling for the awful results about which 

 I had been warned. In practice, however, I found that the 

 Swainson took not the slightest notice of any other birds; he 

 just ignored their existence, and so I have always found it. I 

 also have the clearest evidence that there would be a battle royal 

 if they were put with parrakeets, for they quarrel with them 

 through a wire partition. 



In a mixed aviary they rear their young without troubling 

 about small birds, but I have no doubt that the nesting of small 

 birds suffers through the Lorikeets clambering about. 



Next as to breeding. I have found, as others have found, 

 that these birds breed without difficulty, that they are very 

 prolific' and that they give not the slightest trouble. They 

 lay two eggs (it is always two), hatching them in about four 

 weeks, and lead their young out of the nest in about another 

 four. We have not the time to give to precise observation, 

 but this year two eggs were laid — the one just before, and the 

 second just after May loth. The eggs were known to be 

 hatched by June loth. and by July loth. the young had left the 

 barrel in perfect condition. Archibald, as my adult Swainson 

 is called, is usually a good father, but this year he appeared to 



