38 Hardy, Nesting of Psephotus hcematonotus in Captivity. r,^f'"|"| . 



floor, with a small arched opening at the ground, which gave 

 ingress to Quail. 



Domestic emergencies prevented my giving the aviary its usual 

 weekly cleaning until more than a fortnight had passed, and then, 

 on raising the Quails' box, I disturbed one of the Red-backed 

 Parrakeets from five white eggs lying on the sand in the merest 

 pretence of a hollow. I hastily restored the box to its position 

 after my surprise, not daring to complete the cleaning then. 

 Next day, moving the box slightly, I saw the bird sitting on the 

 eggs. In due time, I take it (being unaware of the date of laying), 

 four 3'oung were hatched — tinj^ things with a little fluff, very 

 thin necks, comparatively large heads, which appeared to be 

 mostly beak, and feet capable of clutching. The parent birds had 

 a busy time The male had already done his share by feeding 

 the female on the perch and ground, and on the nest also, judging 

 by his frequent visits after feeding ; but now both fed the young, 

 while he also continued feeding his wife. 



The following extracts are from my diary : — 28th November. — 

 The eggs were first noticed. 9th December. — The young hatched. 

 23rd December. — Wing and tail quills appearing, and traces of 

 colour on head. 26th December. — Iridescent green colour ap- 

 pearing on head of one bird (evidently male), and patch of red 

 distinct on his back. 30th December. — Young birds' plumage 

 increasing rapidly, and the little ones perch well on my finger. 

 The old birds are voracious for sow-thistles. Blue colour on 

 young male's shoulder, like old male. 



To protect the little ones from the curiosity ol the Platycerri, 

 a wire-netting cage was slipped over the box, with a small entrance 

 of about 2h inches diameter left, which, after considerable survey 

 and much distrust, the mother bird at last accepted as part of 

 the establishment. This protection seemed necessary, as the dead 

 body of one unfeathered young one was found on the floor outside, 

 with a leg eaten off. I attribute the occurrence to a combination 

 of causes — either death was due to accident, followed by eiect- 

 ment, or else mutilation by some of the other birds or by mice. 



6th January. — The young male, more venturesome than his 

 sisters, got out of box and cage, and was put back. 7th January. — 

 Cage and box removed for a little while to give the birds an airing. 

 8th January. — The young male flew to the end of the flight ; 

 females not using wings. The male now has, in subdued hues, 

 the colour markings exactly like male parent. They dislike being 

 handled, but cling fearlessly to finger, or perch on my little girl's 

 shoulder or cling to her dress while nestling their heads under her 

 protecting hands. 9th January. — First female Parrot left nest. 

 The young male ]:)erching well in aviary. The old male still 

 feeding both young and mate ; female feeding young and self, 

 loth January. — Second female left nest. Both flying freely, but 

 clinging to wire-netting instead of perches, nth January.^- All 

 perching. The parents keeping space clear of all other birds. 

 15th January. — Young ones self-feeding, but stfll helped by 



