Parrots & Parakeets 185 



and for those in cages as much exercise as is possible 

 under the circumstances. 



Big parrots delight in coming out so that they may 

 exercise their wings, and it is not a bad plan to train 

 them to come on to a stick, which can then be waved 

 gently up and down, so that the bird has to flap its 

 wings in order to keep its balance. 



With the larger parrots it is best in sunny weather 

 to syringe them, so long as they are in robust health, 

 unless an individual bird is successful in taking a bath 

 for itself in a large pan ; for parrots are naturally 

 effective ablutioners, and the feathers of one that has 

 a regular douche are very superior in gloss and colour 

 to one who never knows that boon. 



Baths and exercise will often prevent the rather 

 incurable evil of feather eating, sometimes brought on 

 by over-heating diet, and perhaps, too, by stuffy rooms, 

 for which many folk have an inordinate affection, 

 whereat evil microbes rejoice, and whereby they 

 largely flourish. 



In their natural state birds breathe in extremely 

 cold air at nights, even in Africa, at certain times of 

 the year. 



The best seed should be given, including several 

 sorts, and good mixtures can be bought both for the 

 larger and the smaller species. 



Parrots are very fond of fruit in season, and bananas 

 and oranges can be given all through the winter as 

 dessert. 



The Australian parakeets love large bunches of 

 flowering grasses — their natural food — which can be 



