on Mr. Fasey s Parrakeets.



299



Mr. Fasey believes in giving each pair of birds a separate

aviary where possible, and there is not the slightest doubt that

most Parrakeets are much more likely to breed successfully

when thus accommodated than when a number have to share the

same place. But, as there are nearly eighty birds, representing

some thirty-two species in this collection, it is quite impossible

to keep each pair separately.


The first aviary we came to was a large one, consisting of

a warm building, thatched with heather (an excellent material

for insuring an even temperature), and a large grassed flight.

This aviary is well furnished with nesting-logs and boxes, and

contains a rare assortment of Parrakeets :— Pennant’s, Mealy-

and Red-Rosellas, Kings, Crimson-wings, Rockpeplars, Red-

rumps, Barnard’s, Yellow-naped, Javan, Blossom-headed, and All¬

green Parrakeets ; Swaiuson’s. Musky, Scaly-breasted, and Ornate

Lorikeets; Patagonian, White-eared, and other Conures. I was

shown three young Rosellas in one nest, and another contained a

clutch of Redrump’s eggs. A cock Pennant was busily feeding a

hen Mealy-Rosella, and a cock Barnard was evidently paired to a

hen Yellow-naped. Mr. Fasey has since written to say that the

Yellow-nape is sitting on four eggs.*


Although this aviary contains such a mixed collection, the

birds seem to agree fairly well together, but, naturally breeding

results are not so good as they might be if there were fewer

birds.



Mr. Fasey has followed the advice that is invariably given

by dealers, as to the feeding of Lorikeets, and confines them to

seed ; and I must admit that a pair of Muskies looked remarkably

well on it. Nevertheless, I cannot be persuaded that this is the

correct food for this honey-eating family.


On leaving the large aviary we passed a range of some

half-dozen small aviaries in the course of construction, which,

when finished, will each be tenanted by a pair of Parrakeets.

Then we looked at a small aviary containing a pair of Coekatiels



Mr. Fasey now writes that the eggs are hatched (June 18).



