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It may be that the change from London to a more sunny climate had

something to do with this; but I have often asked myself whether Australian

Cockatoos do breed every year, and whether they breed at all during the

first few years of their life.


Considering the very few natural enemies these powerful birds have

in their native country, their numbers would have increased prodigiously

if they bred very freely in freedom, and we should have heard more of

their destructiveness.


I believe it would prove a highly interesting study to attempt breed¬

ing these easily-tamed birds in confinement, and success should not be

difficult to attain for those who have patience. Unfortunately, I cannot tell

how to select a pair, male and female being so much alike. I should seledt

a healthy specimen at hazard, and, when the bird is thoroughly domesticated

and in perfect condition, let him or her see a number of other specimens

of the same species, when our bird would soon tell us which mate would be

suitable. Allowing two to occupy the same cage will always be a little

risky at first. Love-making between birds often begins with a fight, in

which case interference by their owner might end in scratches and bites;

non-interference, in one of the birds being injured. A case has been

reported to me where a quarrelsome pair of Parrots were soothed and made

very affectionate towards each other, by a small drop of aniseed oil being

rubbed on each wing. This essential oil is sometimes used by pigeon-

breeders, to bring newly-purchased stock back to the Pigeon-liouse. As it

proved useful as regards one kind of Parrots, it might be tried on cockatoos,

and could do no harm.


But I should only try the smallest kind of White Cockatoo, the

larger kind are so powerful that nothing but steel bars and cast iron seems

able to resist their beaks.


The very pretty Leadbeater might be tried also, for he is compara¬

tively gentle.


The Rose-breasted I found a stupid bird, his plumage always of a

dingy tint, and if bred, his progeny would neither have value nor easily

find friends. Aug. F. Winner.



BUDGERIGARS.


Sir, —Mr. Thom is quite right about aviary-bred Budgerigars. They

are larger, better coloured and better marked; the necklace especially

coming out better than in the imported birds.


Where are the Australian birds that could compare with the birds I

have shown at the Crystal Palace for some years ? And they were all bred

in my aviaries, winning ist, 1893; 1st, 1894; 2nd, 1S95 ; and 2nd and 4th,

1896, The ist and 3rd in 1896 were yellows, consequently my natural

coloured ones would have been ist and 2nd had the yellows been absent. I

do not care for the yellows, they look too washed out. The two I bred

once were pure 3-ellow albinoes with pink eyes. I have 36 pairs breeding

this year, and have about 50 young on the wing, with about the same

number in nests. A dealer has contracted to take all I breed this year; but

I have heard that it is doubtful if he will get a sale for them all, as he is in a

small way of business. Some persons doubt about an aviary being made to

pay, but I. find breeding Budgerigars can be made very profitable with

proper management. Char EES P. Arthur.



