Some Hints on Parrot-Keeping.



355



Blue-bonnet Parrakeet. The hen is rather smaller than the cock

and has a narrower head.


Blue - cheeked Parrakeet (Platycercus amathusiae ). —

A local variety of the Common or “ Moreton Bay ” Mealy Rosella,

differing from the southern form in the bluer colouring of the cheeks.

Blue-Cheeks often show a few red feathers on the crown of the

head, a peculiarity which sometimes occurs in the ordinary form.


Brown’s Parrakeet ( Platycercus broioni). — Requires

warmth and care until v T ell through the first moult following

importation, but afterwards perfectly hardy. Brown’s Parrakeet is

unfortunately a less good stayer at liberty than the Mealy Rosella,

but it is by no means a hopeless bird to try. Like P. pallidiceps it

has an intense aversion to Bluebonnets and it would be most unwise

to attempt to keep the two species in the same aviary. The cock

Brown’s has a decidedly larger head and heavier beak than the hen.

Among imported birds the proportion of cocks is usually very small

and the number of large, bright-coloured hens, sold as cocks, is

correspondingly great.


Stanley Parrakeet ( Platycercus icterotis). —The smallest

of the Platycerci and a free breeder in captivity. The hen is

readily distinguishable by her dull and patchy tints, the Stanley

being the only typical Broadtail in which the sexes differ markedly

in colour. Stanley’s are not to be recommended for turning out,

as they are bad stayers and are too small to defend themselves

against the attack of Owls


Yellow-rumped Parrakeet (Platycercus flaveolus). —

Formerly quite common, but now rarely imported- The sexes are

much alike and are often very difficult to distinguish. It appears to

stay w^ell at liberty, but I may say that my experience of Y 7 ellow-

rumps has been very limited.


Yellow-bellied Parrakeet (Platycercus flaviventris ).—

Easily distinguishable from the last-mentioned species by its dark

green back. The Yellow-belly is a savage and aggressive bird, the hens

being quite as quarrelsome as the cocks and a great nuisance in

mixed company. They are readily distinguishable by the small size

of their heads and beaks. Yellow-bellies are not very good stayers

when allow-ed their freedom.



