PARROTS ' 153 



ceedingly playful, performing antics much like those of a 

 happy kitten. They will live in an ordinary parrot cage, but 

 do best in a roomy aviary where their sportive instincts may 

 be given full play. Like most parrots, they nest in hollow 

 trees, and if suitable boxes and logs are provided, may 

 occasionally lay eggs and rear their young, but success is 

 not common. Although all of the species come from the 

 East Indies, Australia or New Guinea, many are able to 

 live through the coldest winters in unheated aviaries. 



Lories occasionally learn to speak a few simple words, 

 but cannot be considered good talkers. 



One of the greatest drawbacks to the keeping of lories 

 is the fact that dealers almost invariably feed them on seed 

 only. Many species will thrive for a time on this ill- 

 considered diet, but death from fits is certain to follow, 

 sooner or later. When birds thus fed are received, they 

 must be brought gradually to eat suitable food, for after 

 having had seed for a long period, they frequently are 

 reluctant to change. 



The staple food of lories and lorikeets should be one of 

 the various forms of "milksop." The mixture is best 

 made with sweetened condensed milk, diluted with boiling 

 water, as the keeping qualities of this preparation excel 

 those of fresh milk. The milk, while hot, should be poured 

 over biscuit or sponge-cake known to be free from harm- 

 ful ingredients. In the New York Zoological Park, whole- 

 wheat zweiback is used with very satisfactory results. Soft, 

 ripe fruit, such as bananas, pears and grapes, as well as 

 stewed apples and pears, should be furnished daily, as well 

 as fresh green food when obtainable. Most species will eat 

 a small amount of seed, preferably canary, millet or oats. 

 Lories enjoy bathing, and water .should always be avail- 

 able. 



The tails of the lories proper are comparatively broad and 



