520 



NESTING OF THE WAKBLING GEASS PARRAKEET. 



often pushes his beak almost into the ear of his mate, so as to give her the full benefit of 

 his song. The lady, however, does not seem to appreciate his condescension as he wishes, 

 and sometimes pecks him sharply in return. Dr. Bennett observes that the bird has some 

 ventriloquial powers, as he has noticed a Grass Parrakeet engaged in the amusement of 

 imitating two birds, one warbling ar.d the other chirping. 



The food of this Parrakeet 

 consists almost chiefly of seeds, 

 those of the grass plant being 

 their constant food in their native 

 country. In England they take 

 well to canary seed, and it is 

 somewhat remarkable that they 

 do not pick up food with their 

 feet, but always with their beaks. 

 It is a great mistake to confine 

 these lively little birds in a small 

 cage, as their wild habits are 

 peculiarly lively and active, and 

 require much space. The dif- 

 ference between a Grass Parrakeet 

 when in a little cage and after 

 it has been removed into a large 

 bouse, where it has plenty of 

 space to move about, is really 

 wonderful. 



This species has frequently 

 bred in England, and nest-making 

 is of very common occurrence, 

 though it often happens that the 

 female deserts her eggs before 

 they are hatched. A correspon- 

 dent of the Field newspaper, Mr. 

 Moore, of Fareham, writes as fol- 

 lows : " Having been very suc- 

 cessful in breeding most of our 

 British birds in cages, I was 

 induced to try the Australian 

 Parrakeet, commonly known as 

 the Grass Warbling Parrakeet, 

 and I now have the pleasure of 

 making known to you what I 

 consider my most extraordinary 

 success. Between tLe 24th of 

 December last and the present 

 month, I have reared eleven from 

 one pair, and having watched their 

 habits very carefully, I venture to 

 make a few remarks upon them. 



They do not build a nest as most birds do, but must have a piece of wood with a 

 rough hole in the middle, and this they will finish to their liking. Let it be kept private, 

 and let them pass through a hole to the nesting-place. When the hen has laid, take the 

 egg out, putting a false one in its place till four have been laid. This should be attended 

 to, as she only lays on alternate days, and the young would be so far apart in hatching. 

 By so doing I have ascertained the exact time of incubation, and have found it to be 

 seventeen days. I mention this, as persons might otherwise be led astray. These birds 

 feed their young in the same manner as pigeons ; the young never gape, but the old ones 



WARBLINU GRASS PAUBAKEET. Melysittacus 



