25



Throated Amazon), are looking as well as any birds that could be found in their

native land ; in fact, I may go further, and say that amongst mv 50 Parrots,

Parrakeets, and Cockatoos, I have not a single specimen looking anv the

worse for being made captive, but that every bird is in perfect health and

plumage. But I must, if I may, be allowed to say, that much of this is

owing to judicious feeding and careful attention ; if kept otherwise, losses

are certain to be of frequent occurrence. Clean water, the best seed, and

comfortable apartments are most essential, if foreign birds are to be kept in

health as cage-birds for a number of years. If treated otherwise the

mortality will be a heavy one whoever may possess them. I never allow

fresh importations to come into my bird-room direct, but subject them to

fourteen days’ quarantine, as often I have found that freshly imported birds

bring infection, which would, doubtless, spread amongst the other birds.


As a remedy against vermin, I have tried several different plans, and

have found nothing to equal a trained cat; this old favourite has exercised a

protectorate over my birds for a number of years, and when master mouse

puts in an appearance, his life is not worth much. There might be some

difficulty in keeping a cat amongst the smaller species of birds. But mine

would have something to contend with if she confronted one of my old

cockatoos—I fear she would not come off conqueror.


I have endeavoured to describe mv Bird-Room exactly as it is. and I

think that each of us may glean here a little and there a little from the

experience of others. I hope that this series of articles may bring about

an interchange of ideas, that will be beneficial to all those who possess Bird-

Rooms.



RARE FOREIGN BIRDS.


III.


THE MANY-COLOURED PARRAKEET.


By C. S. Simpson.


The Many-coloured Parrakeet is a member of the genus Psephotus , a

group which contains but five species, all of which are confined to

Australia. Four of these are occasionally seen in captivity, but none of

them are common, while the relative rarity of each varies very much from

time to time. At the present time, the Paradisa or Beautiful Parrakeet

{Psephotus pulcherrimus) is practically- unknown as a cage-bird, and the Red-

rump (P. hcemntonotus) is almost as rare. The Blue-bonnet (P. hcematogaster\ is

rather more common. Single specimens of the Many-coloured (P. multicolor )

are occasionally- to be obtained, but they never seem to be imported in any

number.


This parrakeet has an unfortunate reputation. It is said to be very

delicate and short lived in confinement; but it is probable that this opinion

is to a great extent derived from the account given by- Herr Wiener, and

that other writers have simply copied his statements, without attempting

to verify them by practical experience. My own knowledge is confined to

some six specimens, all of which have lived for several years in confinement.

I have only had one specimen myself, but this I obtained about two years

ago, and have been able to keep it during that time in perfect health

without the slightest difficulty-.


The Many--coloured Parrakeet is an exceedingly beautiful bird. It is

about 12 inches in length, and of a slender and elegant shape. The

prevailing colour is a bright emerald green : the forehead and a band

on each wing are y-ellow: there are patches of reddish chestnut on

the occiput and the upper tail coverts : the abdomen and thighs are scarlet :

the shoulders and under wing-coverts are brilliant verditer-blue, but this

colour is not very- noticeable in a cage, being hardly seen except when the

wings are spread for flight. The hen is less brilliantly coloured, being of a

yellowish-brown colour, with only an indication of the markings on the

"head and wings.



