THE PARADISE PARROT TRAGEDY 181 



term of her breeding period. But this is rather an 

 idle supposition to apply to a menage which is ob- 

 viously ruled by affection. Certainly, the regal bird 

 would seem to take to himself more freedom and 

 ease than his sober little consort enjoys; but who 

 will say that all this grace and beauty should be hid- 

 den away in a dark hollow at any time? 



Further, Scarlet-shoulder is apparently the melo- 

 dist of the pair. "He has a musical and very ani- 

 mated song," writes Mr. Jerrard. "I heard it in Oc- 

 tober of 1921, and noted how his whole body vibrated 

 with the force and intensity of his musical effort, 

 imparting an agitated motion to the long tail, which 

 bore adequate testimony to the vim of the perform- 

 ance. It all seemed to indicate a very intense little 

 personality under the beautiful exterior." 



Considering all the circumstances attached to the 

 species, what would any reader of this story have 

 aimed at in the case under review, apart from plac- 

 ing on printed and pictorial record something of the 

 life-history of the species? We thought the matter 

 over, and came to the conclusion that it would be 

 best to take some of the young from that nest in the 

 public interest. It might be possible to have them 

 breed under authoritative control ; but at least thou- 

 sands of people who would wish to see live speci- 

 mens of a distinguished Queensland bird should be 

 given the opportunity to do so under proper con- 

 ditions. Alas! that amiable scheme was doomed to 

 failure. On April 8th Mr. Jerrard reported that 

 some mischance had intervened to prevent the eggs 

 being hatched. He had reason to believe that in- 

 cubation had commenced before the beginning of 



