THE KING PARRAKEET. 161 



be seen that an immense amount of destruction is caused 

 to the unfortunate agriculturist, whose wrath, under the 

 circumstances, is excusable and can well be imagined. 



However, instead of shooting these extremely fine 

 birds and either leaving their carcasses to the flies, or 

 throwing them to his dogs to play with, if the farmer 

 were to take them alive and dispose of them to the 

 dealers, he would readily obtain at least five shillings 

 apiece for his captives, which sell at prices ranging 

 from twenty to thirty shillings each in this country, 

 and find ready purchasers even at the higher figure. 



At different times I have possessed examples of this 

 Parrakeet, and extremely nice birds I have always 

 tound them to be, but they are somewhat delicate and 

 require special care and attention in order to preserve 

 them in good health for any length of time, for it 

 treated with neglect, or fed inappropriately, they are 

 very subject to two incurable complaints. One of these 

 is ophthalmia, and the other atrophy, or wasting as 

 the disease is popularly called, "going light," the 

 result ot chronic indigestion. 



Naturally the King and Queen Parrakeets feed on 

 unripe corn and other seeds, and are incapable, in many 

 instances, of assimilating dry hard seed; but unless 

 they are too far gone, a course of boiled maize, or soaked 

 wheat, and oats, will quickly bring them round again. 

 They require an abundant supply of small gravel and 

 are very partial to bathing; they drink freely. 



ii 



