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The Marquis of Tavistock,



of their domestic existence. They are quite untrustworthy with

weaker birds of other orders.


Madagascar Lovebird (Agapornis cana ).—A hardy and

well known species in which the cock has the head and neck

grey and the hen green. It should be fed on canary, millet and

hemp seed, with grass and other green food. Madagascars stay

fairly well at liberty and will sometimes breed, but with me they

have sooner or later fallen victims to various ailments of which

total paralysis of the legs is the most common.


Black-cheeked Lovebirds ( Agapornis nigrigenis).—k

hardy and attractive little bird in which the sexes are so alike as to

be practically indistinguishable. A number of breeding pairs will

nest together in harmony in a large aviary, but non-breeding birds

are very apt to pluck and molest their neighbour’s young and should

therefore be kept by themselves.


Black-cheeks are useless for turning out as they invariably

migrate in August and September, after breeding.


Rosy-faced Lovebird ( Agapornis roseicollis). —A very

beautiful species but the most vicious of all its family. It should be

given plenty of fruit and sponge cake in addition to seed. A pair I

once tried at liberty did not stay.


Passerine Parrotlet ( Psittacula passerina ).—Commonly

called “ Blue-winged Lovebird.” Passerine Parrotlets are quite

hardy when properly acclimatised, but require plenty of heat on

first arrival. They should be fed on millet and canary seed with

stale sponge cake moistened in water. Green food may be offered

them but they often refuse to touch it. In spite of their grave

and demure appearance these little birds are much given to in¬

dulging in sudden and sanguinary fracas amongst themselves and

should never be overcrowded either in cage or aviary. If it should

be necessary to keep a number of them for some time in a confined

space, it is a wise precaution to separate the sexes. Bluewings

do fairly well at liberty and where Owls are not too numerous

might suceed in establishing themselves- The hen is of a nearly

uniform green colour and lacks the blue rump and secondaries which

adorn her mate.


PAL^ORNIS Parrakeets. —Food : Canary, millet, hemp



