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The Marquis of Tavistock,



a little sunflower, fruit and green food, the first-mentioned seed being

a necessity for them, as without it they generally fail to keep their

condition. They are perfectly hardy when properly acclimatised but,

like most Parrakeets, are very sensitive to cold when newly imported.

They are also highly susceptible to septic fever and take the disease

on the smallest provocation, even when in the best of health. In

disposition, they are spiteful and cowardly, and show hut little

affection for even their own kind. When tame, however, they

may be quite gentle with their owners. The adult cock Crimson¬

wing can easily be distinguished from the hen by his black

mantle, but I know of no way in which young cocks can be

recognised with any certainty. Among the immature birds

brought over from Australia the males sometimes outnumber the

females by 8 to 1, and as they are said not to assume full plumage for

three or four years, one may have to wait a long time before being

certain of possessing a true pair. Speaking from very limited

experience I should say that Crimson-wings might do well at

liberty.


King Parrakeet (.Aprosmictus cyanopygius ).—The King

Parrakeet should be fed and treated like the Crimson-wing, which it

resembles in disposition, being a great coward and bully in mixed

company, although fairly friendly towards its own species, a number

of cocks living together in harmony as long as there is no hen near

them. The King Parrakeet is essentially an aviary bird and is very

hardy. It is quite unsuited to cage life, and in close confinement

generally appears dull, listless and unhappy and not infrequently

falls a victim to fatty degeneration of the liver. Kings are very

susceptible to septic fever and also suffer from eye disease so that

in buying newly-imported birds the eyes should always be carefully

examined. Hens have the head and upper breast green and appear

to lack the light green wing stripe which characterizes the adult cock.

Young males also have green heads for a considerable time, but light

feathers appear on the wings at a fairly early age. King Parra¬

keets stay moderately well when allowed their freedom, being very

dependent on artificial feeding. They should be turned out with

cut wings.


Cockateel (Cyclopsittacus novae-hollandiae ).—A very well



