202 The Marquess of Tavistock—Some Notes on Pesquet's Parrot


food altogether was not attended with satisfactory results, as fruit

alone does not appear to keep him in condition.


From the time of his arrival the Pesquet has been extremely tame,

but he is only really friendly with the person who feeds him, showing

considerable hostility to strangers, especially when he is feeling a little

out of sorts. At such times he ruffles his feathers like an angry hen,

half opens his wings, and advances upon the intruder, cursing him

harshly. He very seldom tries to fly, but climbs about actively with the

whisking motions of a Lory. His voice, as Gilbert White said of the

Peacocks, “ is grating and shocking to the ear ; the screeching of cats

and the braying of a jackass are not more disgustful.” In other words

he makes a noise something like a combination of a heron and one of

those rattles with which college spectators at a boat-race are wont to

encourage the crews and give vent to the exuberance of their own

spirits. He also imitates with great power and fidelity the harsh,

grating screams of my black Cockatoos.


Some weeks ago I turned the Pesquet into an outdoor aviary ; he

hugely enjoyed his first sform of rain, but incessant deluges and cold

nights disagreed with him and I was obliged to take him indoors.

Next year, perhaps, he will do better, after moulting in confinement and

getting more used to our climate. His behaviour towards other birds

is quite commendable, for though he snaps at them when they come near

him I think he does so more from nervousness than vice; indeed, on

one occasion he showed praiseworthy restraint when a Budgerigar, little

larger than his beak, disputed the possession of the feeding-tray with

him. By the way, some of the smallest Parrots have a surprising amount

of cheek ; I once had a Blue-winged Lovebird who indignantly repelled

a shorthorn cow who approached her !


Take him all round, Dasyptilus pesqueti is not a bad bird for an

aviculturist who likes an uncommon pet. He is handsome in his

peculiar way, intelligent, full of character, and capable of great affection

for his owner; probably he could be taught to talk, as he seems to have

the imitative faculty, and he is quite sensible enough to learn that his

natural cry is more suitable for New Guinea than for civilized society !



