3i



With the second clutch it was the contrary, the cock had to be

taken away too soon, lienee the first two eggs were clear; and

had he not been put back to the hen when he was, the last three

would probably have been clear also. I presume from the

preceding that when a sufficient amount of pairing has taken

place, the fertilizing extends to the end of the clutch, and I

think at least eight days must have elapsed from the time the

cock was taken away from the hen till she laid the fifth egg of

those all fertile. Her failing to bring up the young, alone, tends

to prove the necessity of the cock’s assistance when the family is

numerous and of a tender age.


Apart from the pleasing song of the cock, Redrumps have

several other notes, each having a different meaning, and some

of which are the following :


ist.—The “fright-note”—a piercing shrill note both birds

utter when frightened.


2nd.—The “pairing-note”—a low wheezing sound heard

from the hen only, and a sure sign she is coming on to lay.


3rd.—The “ excitement-note”—a chattering note both give,

accompanied by the wings being thrown forward and shaken,

when the birds are in a state of excitement and are discussing

family matters between themselves.


4th.—The “bad-temper note”—an unwelcome sound—a

cackling noise made mostly by the cock, which indicates his

vicious state of feeling towards his youngsters, and precedes the

maltreatment they will surely get after it.


By observing these few notes, anyone who has had a

little experience with these handsome and interesting Parra-

keets may know wdiat is going on in their aviary and between

themselves, although yards away and out of sight.


A little care and watching is, nevertheless, advisable, to

ensure success in their breeding, for, as is the case with other

birds (and sometimes human beings, too) they are at times prone

to leave undone things they ought to do and to do things they

ought not to do, and then failure is likely to ensue. An open

eye, and matters put right in time, will save many a nestling.



