Some Notes on Keeping Parrakeets. 187 



CocKATii-x fCalopsiftaciis noz'ae-hollandice). 



The Cockatiel is well known in captivity, being a favour- 

 ite on account of its extreme hardiness and readiness to breed, 

 even in a small aviary. It will also do well in a cage, and 

 makes a nice pet. as it is not unpleasantly noisy, and sometimes 

 learns to say a few words. It is generally quiet in mixed 

 company, but breeding pairs must be kept separate when 

 nesting. Both sexes incubate. 



Cockatiels are useless for turning out at liberty as they 

 are powerful fliers, migratory, and practically devoid of any 

 homing instinct. The male may be distinguished by the 

 primrose colouring on the head, both sexes having a reddish 

 cheek patch. The young much resemble the female. 



Budgerigar (Melopsittocus undulatus). 

 So much has been written about this well-known bird 

 that it seems almost superfluous to add to existing litertature 

 dealing with its management and breeding. Budgerigars can 

 stand a lot of cold when in really good condition, but require 

 warmth if in poor feather. The food should consist of canary, 

 millet, oats, and grass — particularly seeding grass. The birds 

 do not bathe, but enjoy rolling in long wet turf; they will breed 

 in quite a small aviary or even in a big cage, but it is cruel to 

 keep them altogether in a small cage where they cannot use 

 their wings, such treatment being productive of disease of the 

 respiratory organs. Budgerigars are fairly amiable in mixed 

 company, but many individuals are vicious with finches. They 

 like the society of their own species, but single hens must never 

 be left with breeding pairs as they are very apt to kill the 

 young. The sexes may be distinguished, when in breeding 

 condition, by the colour of the bare skin round the nostrils, 

 that of the male being blue, and that of the female dark brown. 

 Budgerigars will breed at all times of the year, but it is a wise 

 plan to give them a rest in winter by taking away the nest-boxes. 

 Four <:olour varieties of the Budgerigar are known in captivity, 

 green, olive, yellow, and blue. The blues are very lovely, and 

 at present, by reason of their scarcity, command a high price. 

 Budgerigars are very destructive to growing shrubs. 



