The Cark and Kkkding of PARRors. 6l 



VIII. 



THE CARE AND FEEDING OF PARROTS. 



By Hubert D. Asti^ey, M.A., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 



There are undoubtedly others who are more entitled to 

 write upon this subject than I am, by reason of their greater 

 experience and maturer knowledge, but I have been asked to do 

 so, and I therefore will do my best. 



Parrots are, for the most part, when duly acclimatized, 

 extremely hardy, and thrive better in fresh air and a not too 

 artificially heated atmosphere, than in ill-vented rooms or glass 

 houses. 



This applies especially to the smaller Parrots and Parra- 

 keets. For example, I have had such birds as Red-capped 

 Parrakeets (^Porphyrocephahis spjuhis), Cockateels, Stanleys, Port 

 Lincolns and Pennants passing the winter entirely out of doors, 

 with only shelters, and those unheated. The gloss and tightness 

 of their plumage, as well as their activity and sprightliness, 

 testify to their robust health. 



I have had to break the ice in the bathing dishes for these 

 birds to take their baths, which they often do directly the fresh 

 water is poured in ; for Parrots delight in bathing, and the differ- 

 ence between a bird that has a bath and one that hasn't, is very 

 marked. 



I wonder if the inmates of the host of cages in the Parrot 

 House at our London Zoological Gardens ever have a good 

 syringing. It would be a long task, but perhaps in the warm 

 weather it is done. Were I their keeper, I should make a point 

 of syringing half a dozen each day, putting them outside to do 



