HABITS AND VRKEDINU- OF WILD PARKOTX. 181 



These colonies are so cunningly situated, that it is impossible for beasts of prey 

 to approach them. 



In o-eueral, it is in old trees that Parrots make their nests : but, as it is not 

 always possible to find the trunk of a tree whose hollow has been excavated by some 

 friendly Woodpecker, the Parrots are forced to excavate their own nesting-places ; 

 and then it is that they show what available instruments their beaks can be. It is 

 the female which makes this hole ; at this work she proves herself most skilful ; she 

 hangs like a Woodpecker from the bark, and gnaws the wood away, one shred after 

 another, until the dwelling is completed. The hole is the principal matter ; the nest 

 does not need much making ; a few chips picked up from the ground are sufficient 

 as a bed on which to deposit the eggs ; even a hole that leaves much to be desired 

 in the way of convenience will content these very easily satisfied parents. The 

 female generally sits alone, and is fed and entertained by her mate during the whole 

 period of incubation. 



The brooding season of Parrots varies : among some varieties it lasts eighteen 

 days, and with others as long as twenty-five days. The young are perfectly helpless 

 when they leave the egg, but their growth and development are very rapid. At first 

 they are very imperfectly fledged ; but in from five to six days the feathers begin 

 to sprout, and they open their eyes within ten days of their birth. The food is 

 always softened in the parent's crop before it is put into the beak of the young 

 bird. The parents are very courageous in defence of their young. Some species 

 will attach themselves with great tenderness to deserted birds, not merely to those 

 of their own family, but to any helpless orphan, even though belonging to another 

 species. 



Parrots attain their full beauty of plumage, and commence laying, by the time 

 they are two years old. The Gray Parrot, during the first year, is almost black 

 throughout ; the beautiful crimson of the tail not making its appearance until after 

 the second moult. The Mexican, or Double Yellow-head, does not commence to 

 color out on the head until two years of age. 



From the above facts it appears that it would not be a difficult matter to breed 

 Parrots successfully in confinement. It has been tried in the large gardens of 

 Europe with success, where, of course, every facility for the purpose is supplied, and 

 whei'e large numbers are always on hand, from which to select the proper material. 

 The better way is, to breed a number at once ; as one of the elements of success in 

 breeding Parrots is, to form, as nearly as possible, a settlement which corresponds 

 in a measure to their natural manner of breeding. Always select birds two years of 

 age, or over. A large room should be selected for the purpose, which should be 

 kept at tropical heat at all times ; plenty of sunshine is very essential ; and a trunk 

 of a small tree, with a number of holes with small openings, would serve the pur- 

 pose of nests ; shavings, or small chips, are suitable for building material. The floor 

 should be strewn with sand ; as, when not disturbed, Parrots of all kinds like to 

 scratch and burrow in it, after the manner of barn-yard fowls. It is necessary to 

 have openings made to the room, through which the food may be put, so as not 

 to disturb the sitting birds. The food should be of the richest description during 

 mating and breeding season, and should consist of plain hemp-seed, bread soaked 

 in cream, soaked Indian corn, and ripe fruits of all kinds. 



