240 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
perfect, we know that the bird is happy. It is decidedly delicate, 
being a native of the hotter parts of Australia, and so soon takes 
cold if unduly exposed, that one of the primary features of its 
treatment consists in keeping it as far as possible in a medium 
temperature, for extremes of heat and cold are injurious to it, and 
it should never be placed in a draught of cold air. 
The best every-day food for this bird is canary-seed. It may 
have a few grains of hemp occasionally, as a treat, and as an aid in 
training, but there is nothing so good for regular use as canary. 
It will enjoy a few lettuce-leaves at any time, and a ripe filbert is 
always acceptable, provided the shell be just cracked, for to crack a 
nut is beyond the power of this bird; but it likes to get the kernel 
out of the shell, if partly broken for it. 
This bird does not rank high in respect of talent. I have found 
it easy to teach them to say a few words in a whistling kind of 
voice, but to talk, in the proper sense of the word, is beyond their 
power. But they are given to tricks, and, if regularly played with, 
and never teased, they become very amusing. One that J have now, 
and that has been in my possession about twelve years, loves to 
gambol on the hearth-rug with a kitten, and when in a funny mood, 
and without a playfellow, will roll on its back and scream, and, 
indeed, may be rolled about with the hand as one would tumble a 
cat or dog playfully. Its favourite trick is to shake hands, and this 
it will do with a stranger, on being desired—indeed, I have seen a 
bird of this kind shake hands until it dropped from its perch from 
sheer fatigue, and even then held up a quivering foot for another 
friendly greeting. 
The rose-breasted cockatoo is essentially a ladies’ bird. Its 
natural gentleness renders it incapable of mischief or spite, and it is 
always delighted to see children, and will scream after them on only 
hearing their voice. It may be allowed to go about the house 
freely, provided there is no danger, for it is too weak and gentle to 
defend itself, and never has any inclination to use its wings. For 
life and jollity a grey parrot is certainly the best of its family, but 
for docility, beauty, and loveableness, the rose-breasted cockatoo 
must have the very first place. 
NOTES ON NEW ORCHIDS. 
BY WILLIAM GEDNEY, 
Gardener to J. C. Day, Eaq., Tottenham, N. 
= N the Ftorat Wortp for May, 1875, I had the pleasure 
of directing attention to a few of the finest orchids 
adapted for general cultivation in collections of limited 
extent, and I now propose making a few comments on 
** the most desirable of those of recent introduction. In 
the communication referred to, I was careful to mention those 
species and varieties only which were remarkable for their attrac- 
