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The Marquis of Tavistock,



oats, with fruit, dry bread and plain biscuit they are usually free

bathers. The sexes are very much alike in appearance, but the cock

is in most cases a larger, bolder, and brighter-coloured bird than the

hen, with a larger head and heavier beak.


Amazons are less subject than most parrots to infectious

disease, a great advantage to those who have to buy their birds when

newly-imported.


PCEOCEPHALUS PARROTS. — The best known member of this

family is the Senegal, an active, amusing little bird, with (in the

case of the cocks) a fair talent for talking. Its principal failings are

a tendency to bite hard in moments of excitement and unprovoked

annoyance, and a thin unpleasant scream, which however some in¬

dividuals do not utter. It appears doubtful whether Senegals or

any of their near relatives could be wintered altogether in an un-

heated aviary as, like many African Parrots, they appear to dislike

very low temperatures. The food should be the same as that of

an Amazon.


The Posocephali are very susceptible to Grey Parrot fever,

and newly-imported birds often develop this fatal malady after

appearing in the best of health for some days after leaving the

dealer’s shop.


Coracopsis PARROTS. — A small and very distinct family of

hardy parrots, characterized by their remarkably sombre plumage.

They do well in cages and should be fed and treated like Amazons.

When acclimatized they can safely be wintered out of doors.


Greater Yasa Parrot (Coracopsis vasa ). — An amiable and

lively bird which, with a little encouragement, becomes very tame

and docile. It has a fair aptitude for learning to talk and readily

imitates various noises it may happen to hear, showing an especial

preference for such as are of a loud and hideous nature. Its natural

cry is a kind of whistle, varied by unpleasant grunts and squawks.

It is trustworthy with large parrots, but is apt to be mischievous

with small ones. The sexes are much alike, and I am not aware

what, if any, external differences exist between them.


LESSER Yasa Parrot (Coracopsis nigra ). — Yery similar to

the last; mentioned species, but much smaller. It is a much less noisy

bird, becomes very affectionate and behaves well in mixed company.



