i6S


pans, iJin. deep. Apple, with a ripe grape or two—which they

liked — was given by way of fruit, but none of the soft swashy

concoctions fb) which these birds are supposed to require. Log

nests were supplied, and also specially picked cocoa-nut husks of

a large size. Two or three pairs were generally kept together ;

and with them there were also some Rosellas (which they could

not get to breed) and Cockatiels.


These birds make fine pets, and are of an extremely lively

disposition, and rather excitable, at times dropping dead without

warning or apparent cause. They are sometimes rather noisy,

having the penetrating voices common to the whole tribe of

Lories and Lorikeets.


This species is much sought after, and finds a ready sale,

owing to its beautiful plumage. The young, when just fledged,

are like the parents, but not so vivid in colour. The male, which

as a rule is much larger than the female, has a deeper coloured

neck band—more of a dark blue. The breast plumage also is

more ruddy, and of a reddish orange shade, and the under tail

feathers are yellow and without spots. The hen has the usual

hennish look—if I may use the expression. The breast is more

yellow, the tail more greenish-yellow, and with spots ; and the

ring on the nape of the neck is green instead of dark blue. A

good representation of a pair is shown in “ Vogelbilder aus

Fernen Zonen.” When courting, the fantastical contortions of

the male, in his desire to please his mate, are exceedingly

amusing to behold.


One year a very curious, handsome, “ sportively ”

plumaged bird was reared. The head was red with lacings of

white, and the shoulders were tinted with green. The greater

portions of all other parts of wings, body, and tail were of a

bright chrome yellow, intermixed with green feathers here and

there ; and the tail feathers were tipped with red ; making a really

handsome, showy, and rare bird. It was a young bird in May,

1891, and was alive some three years afterwards to my know¬

ledge. I went many times to look at and admire this rare-

feathered Lorikeet, for I took a great liking to it ; I wanted to

purchase, but they would not part with it. On one occasion, I

noticed that its claws had grown very long. It was always kept

in the same cage with the others.


The hardiness of this species, when properly acclimatised,

commends it to all.


(b). But how about the “ dropping dead without warning or apparent cause ? ” — R. P.



