174



particulars. See the U.K.F.C.B. Society’s Reports, Sept.. 1890, pages, and

May, 1S91, page 3. See, also, “ Notes on Cage Birds,page 163. I rather think

that it has been bred since, but am not sure. Of course it has been bred in

Germany. It nests in holes and hollows from preference. Log-nests are the

best, if the holes are large enough ; many of the log-nests sold are

unsuitable. The best results are often obtained by the log being placed

sideways, but slanting well up, fixed close under some shelter, with the top

partly removed, so that the birds may use both top and aperture. But all

these birds are very accommodating when really in good breeding

condition ; get them into perfect health, and keep -warm, and they will nest

fast enough — but take care that the nest has a saucer-shaped depression, so

that the eggs may not roll about. I)o not use sawdust as, in a dry place, it

chokes up the pores in the shell, and the young die before coming out.

Their proper nesting season is the autumn, and the normal number of eggs

is two.


They do much the best in an aviary, the larger the better ; but for

successful breeding, like other Lorikeets, they will probably require to be

kept warm.


The stronger they are, the more savage they become, and cannot

with safety (unless there be one of each sex, forming a pair) be kept with

Lorikeets, Conures, Brotogerys, or birds at all like themselves. If the aviarv

be large they will not, as a rule, injure other birds : but they are selfish,

interfering creatures, and often spoil the nests of other species.


If the aviary be sufficiently warm and sheltered, they had much

better be left alone, for the}' will be less likely to nest if moved about and

interfered with.


I am very doubtful if the two pairs can be kept together should

either think of breeding. I hardl} r think that they are sufficiently sociable

to nest together like Budgerigars, but do not know. I should fear murder,

and recommend that they be closely watched as the nesting season

approaches.


I do not quite like your food. I should stop the bread and substitute

plain biscuit : give plenty of milk. If you sweeten it, use white sugar in

preference to brown. Try and get them on to fruit. I use grapes, cut up

and served in china (not metal) dishes, of which my Lorikeets used to be

very fond. Try also banana and apple.


Fits are what you have to guard against. These may be brought on

by excitement, so if possible never catch or hunt the birds. But the fits

are usually brought on by indigestion in some form or another, stomach or

liver. Therefore feed them on slops and fruit as much as possible—and a

mealworm may be given occasionally. Fluid magnesia in the milk or

drinking water is the best preventative, should you see a bird lumpy, or

closing its eyes as if it had a headache ; occasionally, too, when threatened,

it will shake its head, or rub it against its perch, as if trying to get rid of

something. Reginald Philupps.



