132


CORRESPONDENCE.



HEN PENNANT PARRAKEETS ; WINTERING BIRDS OUT


OF DOORS ; CHANGE OF PLUMAGE IN WEAVERS.


Sir, — I think Mr. Farrar has a hen of a different kind, as I have seen

a great number of Pennants in the nestinj^-season, and with their young

families, in their native land, Victoria, but I never saw much difference

between the sexes except in their manner and in the carriage of the head,

the cock looking much prouder and more given to swagger — but he is,

perhaps, a little more brilliant. On the other hand, I did see some birds

similar to the hen described, in South Australia, veiy frequently in cages,

but I do not remember noticing them wild. These are, however, well

known to be a different variet}', and have a name of their own which I forget.


In the wild state the Pennants and Rosellas hang about the home-

steads together, and if allowed liberty will do the same in England,

apparently not having any desire to fly to woodlands — at least, mine were

so ; but I had to cage them up again because they went down the chimneys

several times.


Pennants are particularly "loose" in their colour, and soon go

brownish if left in the sun. All Australian creatures seem to avoid the

midday sun, and the Bush is quiet for a few hours in the middle of the day,

even where there is shade.


Almost any bird (fowl, pigeon, or fancy cage-bird) must be kept out of

the sun if its full brilliancy of colour is required, as any person who shows

soon learns.


I should like to know if any of our members have kept Red-faced

Love-birds in an outdoor aviary for several winters. I have kept them

for an odd winter once, but I fancied the cold was too much for them. I

onlj' want to keep cocks. Is the Madagascar really much more hardy ? 1

should also like to know if a vShama would stand the winter in an open

aviarj' in a cold part of Lancashire (b).


I am trying Red Lories {Eos rubra) in it ; they have stood it well so far,

but this is the most trying season, I always find. I suppose the birds get

run down with the long cold weather, and the cold windy nights of March

and April just seem to finish them off.


This 3'ear again one of my Rufous-necked Weavers went into dull

winter plumage, while the other retained his full black and yellow suit. I

have had them now two years, and they seem in perfect health and feather.

Last 5'ear it was suggested that perhaps the one which went grey was a very

young one or the other a very old one, but would that argument stand

good again for this year .''


A. A. Thom.


(d) I have now a pair of Red-faced Lovebirds, in perfect condition, which have spent

a large part of the last;three j'ears in my very open aviary ; but duringr the winter I insist

on their going into the bird-room, at any rate at night. When really well established, they

can stand a good deal of cold, but they do not like it, and it is not good for them ; never-

theless, being constitutionally timid, they cannot be depended upon to seek shelter — the

slightest thing will keep them out. I consider the Madagascar Lovebird to be a much

hardier species. It is my opinion that a Shama would not stand a winter in an open aviary,

but I believe they have been kept out through the winter in well shut up quarters.— R. P.



