36 Rev. C. D. Farrar,


flock of Yellow Budgerigars at twenty-five or thirty shillings a

pair.


I was fortunate to secure a pair of lovely birds, just over

the moult, and ‘ as tight as wax,’ as Canary men say. Now, from

past sad experience, I knew how easy it is to mistake a pair of

old birds for young ones, especially when the latter are twelve

months old. I once sold a most prolific and certain breeding

hen Bengalee, intending to part with her daughter, and could

never get her back again, though I charmed as wisely, so I

thought, as the proverbial snake catcher. The lady to whom I

sold her politely regretted my mistake, but elected to stick to

her bargain ; but then ladies are so unreasonable !


I made up my mind then to ‘ ring ’ my old Budgerigars, to

avoid future complications. To say that they objected to the

process, is to put the matter mildly. They bit, they swore, they

did everything short of taking off the offending leg. I was firm

however. I said, ‘My dear birds, it is all for your good,’ as the

farmer said to the pig when he was ringing him. After a few

days they appeared reconciled to the inevitable. The process

of ringing is quite simple when you know how. In catching

Parrakeets, always mind and keep your attention on his head,

that’s his busi?iess end : the wings and feet which are clawing

around your wrist don’t matter. Well, then, mind the head with

one part of your hand, get hold of a leg with the other and slip

on the ring as quick as you can. His majesty will use some

very unparliamentary language. Never mind, let him go, and

apologise afterwards.


I placed the Budgerigars in a nice little aviary all to

themselves, and then awaited results. I had not long to try my

patience. The great aim of a Budgerigar’s life seems to be

strictly Scriptural, to increase and multiply the Budgerigar

earth.


In feeding he is no epicure. All he demands is plain

sensible food. For choice he likes white millet, best Spanish

canary, and a bit of my soft food mixture when there are babies

about. He does not like bread and milk, or bread and water,

or any other strange and fearsome compound recommended by

learned societies and doctors.



