Correspondence, Notes, etc.



79



I think Parrot Finches are quite the most desirable and satisfactory

to keep of the small foreign finches, and they agree well with other birds.


D. Seth-Smith.



AVIARIES FOR PARRAKEETS.


Sir,—I wonder whether you could give advice, in the journal, on a

matter that would, I feel sure, be of use to budding aviculturists like

myself. I am building five aviaries for Parrakeets, having inner rooms from

loft, by 10ft. to 7ft. by 10ft., with outside flights ranging from 15ft. by 10ft.

to 20ft. by 10ft. Now how to stock them is the question.


I read that Conures are dangerous with other birds, also that Blue

Mountains are spiteful with other Parrakeets, and so on.


It seems ridiculous to give up a whole aviary to a pair of Jendayas or

a pair of Blue Mountains. Would Jendayas do with other Conures, and

Blue Mountains with other Lorikeets of about the same size and vice versa f


What I should like to see, if it could be drawn up, would be a list of

birds that would do together in pairs in the same aviary ; also of those

birds that would agree, three or four pairs together, if they would not

agree with others of a different kind. Of course, in asking for a list of

mixed Parrakeets, &c., I do not expect them to breed when mixed; if I

find they do well with me I shall erect a flight of almshouses for the

widowed, unattached and mated pairs.


Hoping I am not asking too much. E. J. Brook.


[Your aviaries would be very suitable for breeding Parrakeets, one

pair in each compartment, but if you wish to keep them for show and not for

breeding you can keep several, say half-a-dozen birds in each compartment.

But there will be occasional battles, which may result in the death of the

weaker of the combatants. Parrakeets vary greatly in disposition, some

being perfectly good tempered, while others of the same species cannot be

trusted with anything weaker than themselves. Again, others which are

generally peaceably disposed will suddenly turn spiteful. I once had a very

fine pair of Brown’s Parrakeets, which appeared to be on the best of terms

with one another until the cock fell in love with a hen Many-coloured

Parrakeet in the next aviary and forthwith turned on his own wife and

would have murdered her had I not rescued her just in time. I have found

Blue-bonnets particularly untrustworthy with other Parrakeets or, in fact,

other birds of any kind ; and Redrumps and most of the Conures are about

as bad.


From the above you will see that no hard and fast rule can be laid

down as to what species can be kept together with safety'. The dangerous

time is when the birds begin to think about nesting; then perhaps two

cocks will make love to the same hen, with the result that each does his

best to get rid of the other. Most of the larger Parrakeets will live

peaceably with Budgerigars, which they simply ignore. For my part I have



