192



young ones. I should say the young Readbeaters were brought

up almost entirely on this diet.


One Friday, about three weeks after, I believe, they were

hatched, a splendid young bird appeared, nearly as big as his

parents, and a picture of beauty. On the following Sunday

another emerged from the hole, and the following Tuesday yet

another.


They were all perfectly fledged and looked rather like

lovely pink Owls. I cannot say whether they are cocks or hens,

as I cannot get near enough to see their eyes. They look just

like the parent birds, only pinker, softer, and more babyish

looking. The two old birds will not allow another bird to go

near them.


As I write (July and) they fly perfectly, but perching is

still a difficulty. The parents fly anxiously after them and

superintend every step in their education.


I must add that the Rock Pepler Parrakeet laid four eggs,

about the same time as the Readbeater, but finding they did not

hatch I have taken them away.


I believe this is the first time the Readbeater Cockatoo has

bred, and the Rock Pepler Parrakeet laid, in this country (</).



THE NESTING OF THE ANDAMAN STARLING.


By the Rev. C. D. Farrar.


The higher up we get the more we are watched—the

rooster on the church steeple is of more consequence (although

he is tin) than the rooster in the barnyard. I feel rather like the

church rooster at having to chronicle another success. All the

same I cannot but feel that I deserve my triumph, for though

Fortune sometimes shows us the way, it is energy that achieves

success. Fortune never takes anybody by the hand, but she

often allows them to take her by the hand ; and opportunities are

made quite as often as they happen.


I might begin this paper after the manner of Rord

Macaulay, “ Fvery schoolboy knows the position of the Andaman

Islands.” I frankly confess I was not in the position of that


(, d ). The Rock Pepler would seem to have laid on a previous occasion ; see my note,

p. 175. In “Notes on Cage Birds,” a reprint from the Bazaar , in book form of Notes relat¬

ing to Cage Birds, edited by Dr. Greene, at page 193, “ M ” says, “ In my outdoor aviary I

have a hen Rock Pepler now sitting on three eggs laid on the ground.” Why the proprietor

of the Bazaar would not permit (so I was informed) the dates and names of the writers of

the “ Notes ” to appear, I do not know; if these had been supplied, the book would be

treble its present value.—R.P.



