Correspotidence.



3i



is opened a little, and those birds that like to, go out for a fly. It is very

seldom that she does not go out.


When the nesting season is over, and the whole aviary is thrown open,

she spends most of her time, if not too cold, amongst the trees and shrubs,

nibbling away at the tenderest bark and young wood, and at any leaves and

shoots that may remain.


More or less all through the year, if I can find the time, I sow wheat,

etc. When the seeds begin to shoot up, she nibbles away at them with

much pleasure.


Her old mate, a poor creature, died long ago, and she will not take to

his successor, but spends her time flirting with the Red-faced Lovebird,

exciting the jealousy of the female, with whom sometimes she has fierce

battles ; so I am not hopeful of any further nesting operations from her;

and I cannot arrange to place her elsewhere.


She always wants to nest in the early spring, and falls into moult

rather soon.


She is a very simple feeder, partaking of the seeds you mention, and

occasionally taking a little raw fruit. I think she sometimes helps herself

to a morsel of plain biscuit.


Perhaps these notes may help you a little bit.


I should most certainly keep your birds warm during the winter and

spring. I may' be quite wrong, but I do not believe in exposing such birds

to cold.


The difficulty about the nesting lies in their wanting to commence so

early in the year.


My female was a very timid sitter, so you would have a better chance

in a large than a small aviary. You will know best what arrangements you

can make; but take care that no other Parrakeets or disturbing elements

are placed with them.


My bird nested in a log-nest in the birdroom which was carefully

hidden away, and which was lying on its side, slanting up a little, with the

top off; but such a natural hollow tree as the one in which you reared your

Barnards would be infinitely better.


My bird takes a bath pretty regularly. R. Philupps.


[The species is still not infrequently confused with its near relative

the less uncommon Beautiful Parrakeet, Psephotus pulcherrimus.


Mr. Campbell says,—“ Nests and Eggs. —Undescribed.” I do not

know when those words were penned, but certainly some time after the

birds reached my hands. The eggs were known in my aviary in 1899, and

still adorn my cabinet. It is not the first instance by several that I have

c



