The Breeding of King Parrakeets.



27



was equally so, yet there was not a bad specimen or unhealthy

looking bird in the collection. There were practically no new

arrivals, nearly all the birds having nearly completed a healthy

moult. This success could only have been attained by attention

to minute details, cleanliness in everything, only the best food

given in the right way and at the right time, and wants antici¬

pated. I may add that there were no Hirundines in this collection.



THE BREEDING OF KING PARRAKEETS.


By Albert J. Salter.


The rearing of King Parrakeets does not fall to the lot of

the majority possessing this beautiful species. Fortune has

however favoured me this season, and I have one young bird, the

account of which I trust will be of some interest to the readers

of the Avicullural Magazine.


In the first place the aviary, which these birds have

absolutely to themselves, consists of a house 4ft. by 4ft., and a

flight, all wire, 8ft. by 8ft. In the former, barrels partially hidden

by branches are suspended near the roof, whilst one corner of

the floor is completely screened by logs ; outside a large hollow

log, about 4ft. long by 18 to 20 inches through, is placed.


The birds are a fine pair; in fact the male is a Crystal

Palace winner, and very richly coloured. They were paired in

March 1894. In the spring of the present year the cock was seen

several times feeding the hen, and in May they suddenly took to

tearing up the grass in the corner of the flight nearest the path,

and completely cleared a space of over a yard square ; here, on

June 2nd, the hen laid her'first egg, the worst possible place, and

most exposed, without the slightest hollow to prevent the eggs

rolling about. Knowing they are supposed to be very shy and

easily disturbed I hardly knew what to do, but finally decided to

place the egg in one corner of the interior, with the hope of the

next egg being laid there also. This was not the case, for on the

evening of the 3rd another egg was in the same position as the

first. Now came the question of what was to be done, as the

first storm would soak the place, and people w T ere frequently

passing within a yard. To hurry matters forward it began to



