1 88 Some Notes on Keeping Parrakeets. 



There is one instance on record of Budgerigars perma- 

 nently establishing" themselves at liberty, but as a rule they are a 

 failure, the majority migrating in autumn, while the survivors 

 are soon devoured by owls. There is, however, no reason why 

 Budgerigars should not be kept at liberty from the end of April 

 to the beginning of September, and the little birds are so cheap 

 and prolific, and so lovely to watch in a state of freedom that 

 anyone with suitable grounds is quite justified in making an 

 experiment with them. 



PARROTLETS. 



Two species or allied races of these little birds are fairly 

 freely imported. They require warmth when newly arrived, 

 but can often be wintered successfully out-of-doors after being 

 hardened off. The food should consist of canary, millet, hemp, 

 oats, and moistened bread or sponge cake. Parrotlets are fairly 

 willing to lay in captivity, but are nothing like such free breeders 

 as Budgerigars; they do not require much room, but will not 

 thrive in very small cages where no opportunity is given them 

 of resting. They are moderately quiet with other birds, but 

 are given to lighting murderously among themselves, and 

 must on no account be overcrowded. If it is necessary to keep a 

 number together in a confined space, it is a wise precaution to 

 separate the sexes, as this tends to discourage fighting. If 

 allowed full liberty Parrotlets should be treated like budgeri- 

 gars ; they are fair stayers but not free breeders. 



Blue-winged Parrdtlet (Ps'itiacula passeriiw). 



Male has a blue rump and secondaries ; female entirely 

 green. I rather think the young male has no blue on first 

 leaving the nest, but very soon acquires it. 



Guiana Parrotlet (Psiftacula guianensis). 



Differs from the above in thte male having a green rump, 

 and the female a yellowish face. 



LOVEBIRDS. 



Four species are commonly imported, the others being 

 very rare in confinement. The food should consist of canary, 

 millet, and hemp, with green-food if they will eat it. Lovebirds 



