60



Breeding notes for 1917 .



chick each. One was reared ; the other was accidentally crushed by

its parents, who were wild and clumsy.


The Pileated hatched two strong chicks, but, to my great

disappointment, lost them when half grown—I fear through feeding

them on strawberries.


It is noteworthy that Stanleys, Barrabands, and Pileated have

invariably failed to hatch their eggs with me when the cock birds

have been caged during the winter, even though they have appeared

in the most vigorous breeding condition and perfect plumage.


The Queen Alexandras were also a disappointment, the cock

alone coming into breeding condition.


The cock Bauer, who has never forgiven me for depriving him

of the wife of his heart—a Barnard-—four years ago, bullied his own

mate, and fed his Stanley neighbour’s. The expression of the hen

Bauer while watching this scandalous conduct was said to be very

amusing !


The Yellow-mantle and Bosella had three clear eggs only,

though in particularly fine condition and out all winter.


The Bedrumps reared four young, of which one was deformed.


The Bourkes got no further than inspecting their nest barrel,

the hen being a very shy breeder and a nervous sitter.


When the other Grass Parrakeets were first turned out an

unlucky thunderstorm gave one pair of Bluewings the excuse (for

which members of their family are ever on the lookout) of killing

themselves against the side of their enclosure. I then locked the

stable door by giving the aviaries an inner lining of string netting,

and at the time of writing one pair have four well-grown young in

the nest 5 " and the others eggs, which, however, I fear are overdue to

hatch. Two pairs which shared the same aviary did not quarrel,

though the hens rather disturbed one another and broke a few eggs ;

Bourkes, however, I have found quite willing to murder one another

in the breeding season if more than a single pair are kept together.

A propos of string netting, I may say that I have never had accidents

through its use as one might expect, since Neophema Parrakeets

never bite anything, nor do they settle on vertical surfaces and climb

about.


* [These have been reared ; the eggs of the other pairs were clear.]



