Parrakkkts. 33 



IV. 

 PARRAKEETS, 



By D. Seth-Smith, F.Z.S. 



PART I. 



The keeping and breeding in captivity of Panakeets has 

 for long been a favourite hobb}', for, taken as a whole these birds 

 are hard}', easy to keep and very showy. 



In a popular article it is not possible to go very fully into 

 the habits and requirements of the various and very numerous 

 species of the smaller Parrots which are known as Parrakeets 

 or Paroquets, so I propose to divide this paper into two parts, the 

 first dealing with the kind of aviaries most suitable for these 

 birds, and the second with the birds themselves. 



Aviaries for Parrakeets. 



The best type of aviary, in the opinion of the present 

 writer, is that consisting of a well lighted covered shed or house, 

 opening into a large wire flight containing a drinking fountain 

 or large bath and a turf lawn. If many species of Parrakeets 

 are to be kept, a range of such aviaries should be erected with a 

 southern aspect, compartments being divided off for each pair of 

 the larger kinds. 



Regarding the size of such aviaries. This of course must 

 be governed by the available space, but, as a general rule, the 

 covered portion should not be less than eight feet square and ten 

 feet high. If larger than this, so much the better. 



