IIO



The place of the Conures knew them no more, and the Lorikeet looked

around him for an object upon which to lavish his superabundant affection.


A pair of Tovi Parrakeets had taken up their abode in the aviary, and,

taking advantage of the temporary absence of Ornatus from his favourite

perch, had quietly annexed it. These were a very matter of fact little

couple, devoted to one another, occupied with their own interests, and

taking but little notice of the other birds, though quite capable of defend¬

ing themselves against attack when necessary.


The hen happened to be the only lady at this time in the aviary, and

Ornatus deliberately set himself to win her affection and to destroy the

domestic happiness of her husband.


Fl}dngto the perch on which the}- were sitting he commenced to sidle

up to her, puffing out his feathers, making a curious hissing sound and

holding down his head so as to display to advantage his beautiful violet

crown.' The Tovi Parrakeets took but little notice of him, but the cock

bird shifted his position so as to get between his wife and her admirer, and

opened his beak in a very suggestive manner when the Lorikeet came too

near. Ornatus flew away and approached the object of his affections from

the other side: the cock Tovi again changed his position and the little

comedy was repeated.


Evening was coming on and at last Ornatus settled himself for the

night on a bough about a foot from the Tovi Parrakeets.


The next morning the performance recommenced: Ornatus followed

the Tovis from bough to bough, keeping just out of reach of the beak of

the cock bird. As soon as the little pair settled themselves comfortably for

a rest, he perched as close to them as was safe, and endeavoured by all the

arts at his disposal to render himself attractive to the hen. His curious

antics, his attempts to feed her, his love dance, and his way of turning him¬

self about to display in succession the varied hues of his head, his breast and

his wings were intensely diverting, and the quiet tael with which the

husband always managed to place himself between his wife and her too

ardent admirer was no less amusing.


The hen Tovi, to do her justice, in no way responded to the Lorikeet’s

advances, but he was not discouraged in the least, and the comedy went on

all dav, and from day to day for several months, being occasionally varied

by a sharp scuffle between the indignant husband and the too forward lover.


The Spring advanced, and, as warmer weather set in, it became

evident that matters were coming to a crisis: the skirmishes became more

frequent and more serious, but no great damage was done to either com¬

batant, and matters were allowed to take their course.


At last the comedy came perilously near to a tragedy. One morning

the scattered feathers in the aviary showed that the day had opened with a

sharp conflict: the cock Tovi crouched in a corner defeated, humiliated

and disconsolate, while enthroned upon the highest perch, beaming with,

pride and satisfaction sat the Ornate Lorikeet, and at his side, demure but

slightly ashamed, the coveted hen.


The poor little cock was thoroughly beaten, and made no attempt to

regain possession of his wife, who for two long days completely ignored him,

and calmly resigned herself to the demonstrative attentions of the Lorikeet.

At the end of that time it became obvious that the deserted Tovi was pining

away and would speedily die unless the higher powers interfered.


Accordingly the pair of Tovi Parrakeets were removed from the aviary

and placed in a' cage by themselves, where the cock bird rapidly recovered

his health and spirits and the hen quietly adapted herself to a less eventful

life. Trichoglossus ornatus wasted no time in useless regrets, but promptly

transferred his affections to a lady Purple-capped Lory, who accepted his

suit and who assists him in ruling the aviary. It is to be hoped that in.

time he will be provided with a bride of his own species.



