Some Hints on Parrot-Keeping.



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PRASLIN PARROT ( Goracopsis berklyi). — Very like the Lesser

Yasa, but rather smaller and browner. In spite of its sober colour

it is rather pretty, with a large dark eye, reminding one of the

smaller falcons.


ECLECTUS PARROTS. — A family of brilliantly-coloured parrots

in which the sexes present a remarkable contrast in colour, the cocks

being more or less green and the hens crimson. Most of the different

species resemble one another so closely that one is tempted to wonder

whether they are anything more than local races of the same bird.


Eclecti should be fed on Canary, millet, oats, hemp and sun¬

flower with nuts and plenty of fruit and green food and an occasional

piece of sponge cake. When kept in cages they are, as a rule, dull

and stolid, though occasionally a tame one learns to talk and

becomes quite a nice pet. Eclectus Parrots are decidedly sensitive

to cold and should always be carefully protected from draughts

and not exposed to sudden changes of temperature. They are

extremely liable to contract septic fever and should never on any

account be placed in an aviary which has contained a case of this

disease. In buying an Eclectus, always see that its eye is clear and

bright and the feathers of the head unruffled. If the eye looks

watery have nothing to do with the bird or its cage companions

and do not believe the dealer’s assurance that it is merely suffering

from a cold in the head. In mixed company I found Eclecti most

inoffensive birds, suffering themselves to be unmercifully bullied

without making any attempt at retaliation. Their cry is very loud

and harsh, but is hardly ever uttered unless they are in exceptionally

good health and spirits or much alarmed- One may keep an Eclectus

for months without knowing that it possesses a voice at all.


Cockatoos. —The habits of the various species of Cockatoos

and their needs in captivity differ so widely, that nothing can

profitably be said of the treatment of the family as a whole.


Greater Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Gacatua galerita).

One of the best known members of the family. It does well in a

cage, though greatly benefited in health and appearance by a certain

amount of liberty. It is also very hardy and when properly accli¬

matized can stand any amount of cold. The food should consist of

Canary, millet, hemp, wheat, oats, maize, fruit, dry bread and plain



