The Marquess of Tavistock — “Georgiea Masked Parrakeet 119


constructed a bulky nest of sticks and reeds in a shallow pond, because

(so 1 think) their two eggs have on other occasions always been taken

by some animal [?a stoat] when they were deposited in the open field.

Why the eggs this year have failed to hatch or to be fertile I do not

understand, for the Australians most certainly mated.


The Mantchurians laid for the first time this year, although I have had

them for about ten. No Cranes could be kept under more favourable

circumstances. The White-necked, certainly a true and devoted couple,

have had eggs, and twice each season for the last four years, yet the

eggs are always clear. They sit sedulously. It is puzzling. The birds

are in magnificent condition, and have a spacious range of ground

with water.



“ GEORGIE,” A MASKED PARRAKEET


By the Marquess or Tavistock


Pyrrhulopsis per sonata is a rare bird in these days ; there are ugly

rumours that he is verging on extinction in his native country, thanks

to some fool who added Mongooses to the local fauna. Anyhow, I have

seen but one — the subject of this article — though I believe a few others

have passed through the hands of Australian dealers within the last

six or seven years. The Masked Parrakeet is a big bird, bearing some

superficial resemblance to a ‘"King”, but larger and with a much

heavier beak. The greater part of the plumage is rich green, tinged with

blue in the flights and tail ; the centre of the breast is yellow, becoming

orange on the abdomen ; the bill, forehead, and part of the face are

black ; the eye is fiery orange. “ Georgie ” has been in my possession

about 18 months. He appears to be very old, and I daresay his former

master kept him for many years. Though always in fair condition, he

has never been really robust, and has had to be nursed through more

than one minor illness. His disposition is most peculiar, and he appears

to be endowed with a dual personality. For long periods he will be dull,

quiet, and sluggish, hardly moving from his perch, uttering no sound

and shrinking away if touched. Then suddenly he completely changes

and becomes active, sociable, full of conversation, and equally full of the



