on some Experiences with Parrakeets, etc.



43



leave the nest to be invariably killed by some spiteful member of

the collection, although in an aviary 30 feet long and 15 feet wide.


Parrakeets require an aviary for an individual pair to get

the best breeding results ; and most of them will readily bring

off a brood of youngsters if given an aviary large enough to keep

them in fit condition and good health. The aviary, I think,

should not be less than about fifteen feet long and six or seven

wide, with a grass flight.


Budgerigars, Cockatiels and Love-birds will go on repro¬

ducing at an alarming rate.


Rosellas will generally rear two broods, most others one.


Blue Bonnets and Browns seem to require something I

have been unable to discover vet ; after eight years of perseverance

with several different pairs I am still unsuccessful, although at

the same time and with similar conditions, others and more rare

species readily nest.


A mixed collection of Parrakeets in a large aviary is of

course a delightful and amusing sight, and one I would not like

to be without. You will see them continually on the move; woe

betide the unwary individual who sleeps when some other

member swoops down.


A mixed collection must, however, be carefully selected to

avoid bloodshed. Blue Bonnets for instance are regular butchers.

I had many deaths before I found out these were the culprits.

I remember a-year ago a pair getting into the next aviary to a

pair of Browns, and in less than half-an-hour they had killed the

cock and scalped the hen, which I just saved from death ; the

Blue Bonnets had scarcely disturbed a feather.


The following will be found to agree : King Parrots, Red¬

wings, Rock Peplars, Barraband, Pennants or Rosellas (but not

both), Many Colours or Redrumps (not both) if Pennants are the

choice, but Rosellas do not like them ; a pair of Connies are

pretty but noisy: Blossom-heads, Cockatiels, Budgerigars, Love¬

birds, and I have a number of Giant Whydahs which add much

to the interest and beauty of the aviary.


The Grass Parrakeets are too rare to include, although

I have had them in a mixed collection and found them inoffensive

birds when left unmolested. But they do a bit of fighting on

their own account without, however, serious consequences.



