Breeding of Queen Alexandra Parrakeets. 243


young Linnets trained under a good schoolmaster often turn

out first-class songsters.


Although singing is one of the principal reasons why so

many Linnets are kept here, good feather and fine condition are

also well looked after, and I have seen many a first-class songster

take a premier prize at Bird Exhibitions, and when I have my¬

self wanted an exhibition Linnet, I have often been able to get

what I required amongst our members, for many of them keep

their birds on what is called “ Wild Seed.” This is a mixture of

wild seeds that used to come from the farmers in the Fylde dis¬

trict, but is now supplied by Mr. J. Walsh, Naturalist, Blackburn,

and for bringing out the nut-brown colour in Linnets I do not

know any other food equal to it.


This wild seed is also very useful in getting these birds

into breeding condition. Many of the members of our Society

have never kept any other birds but Linnets, and have made a

life study of them, a few for over 50 years. Some of their ideas

are no doubt crude, and would sound strange to our up-to-date

fanciers, but they are the result of years of experience. I11 their

musical abilities, Linnets vary as much as human beings (they

all sing more or less), but it is not every day we come across a

champion, so I find it best when you get hold of a good bird

to keep it. Although I have kept over fifty varieties of British

birds, I may say I have derived more satisfaction and enjoyment

from the Linnet as a song bird than from any other species.



BREEDING OF QUEEN ALEXANDRA PARRAKEETS.


Spathopterus alexandrce.


By Hubert D. Astley.


Last year I had the great disappointment of losing the

one young Queen Alexandra that was hatched, owing to a

murderous onslaught from a male Stanley Parrakeet, at least I

suspected him, though the case was ‘ non-proven.’ This year

I hope I have been very much more successful.


In April all three pairs were nesting, and one hen laid at

least ten eggs, but not in a desirable nesting-box, so that the

eggs were rolled about, some were cracked, and the rest did not



