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I must admit that the bird is very noisy. I can stand more

than most people can from Parrots, but C. versicolor has to spend

a good deal of its time under a sheet, when I am in the room.

I expect it would make a good talker, if any one would devote

his time to it. But as my Spix Macaw, who lives in the study

too. is picking up a good deal of conversation, without any

special attention, I am not without hopes that Versicolor may do

the same, especially as the Spix is certainly six or seven years old.



FURTHER NOTES ON THE RACKET-TAILED

PARROT.


Priojiiturns platurns.


By F. E. Blaauw, C.M.Z.S., M.B.O.U.


Some excitement having been caused in the Parrot-loving

world by the arrival, in the British Islands, of a living specimen

of this species, it may interest the readers of the Avicultural

Magazine to hear of an example which I obtained as long ago as

1888.


This bird was an adult male in fine plumage, with the

racket feathers of the tail well developed. Unfortunately it

arrived in mid-winter, during a rather sharp spell of frost, and so

probably took cold on the way from Rotterdam to my house. *

The result was that it was not in very good health when

it reached me, and it did not live very long. It was quite tame

and gentle, not moving much during the day, but generally

becoming much more lively, and sometimes even very much

excited towards the evening. It would then run backwards and

forwards on its perch, making some slight noise, and whilst so

occupied, often looked so sleek and well that I had every hope it

would ultimately recover. However, it did not get well, but

became slowly worse, and died only a few weeks after it had

come into my possession, I need hardly say much to my regret.


This Parrot fed on seeds, with the addition of stale bread

soaked in milk, with some sugar over it; a food which I have

often found very beneficial to Parrots when in rather a poor

condition.



* Herr Blaauw lives in Holland.—Ed.



