68 0 ?i Breeding of the Rock Pebbler Parrakeet.


One of the youngsters that died was an undoubted

cock, the other a hen; the remaining one I try to think is a

cock; he is a dark yellow-green bird and has bright under

wing coverts, which seems hopeful.


I was glad when the young bird was seen at the seed

trough, as his plaintive demands for food were most distressing,

the old hen feeding only occasionally. The cock never at any

time took any interest in the young ones ; he sat as if stone deaf,

and took no notice of the hungry baby, who got as near him as

possible and begged for food. He generally shuffled off, and

evidently thought his family a great nuisance. I am glad to say

the survivor was strong-minded enough to take the matter into

his own hands, and is now quite capable of fighting his own

battles.


I must add that these birds are quite hardy, and will

winter well in a cold house. Mine have never been in a heated

aviary and are in beautiful condition, unlike the handsome King

Parrot which, unless kept warm in the winter, is very apt to go

into a decline.


[Note: —Mrs. Johnstone’s birds commenced to sit about

May i, and the young were first heard on June 3. The first

young bird left the nest on July 12, and was followed by the

others two days later.


It has been indirectly notified to us (on September 9—

some two months later than required by the Medal Rules) that

a pair of Rock Pebblers belonging to the Rev. B. Hemsworth

nested on the ground (of their aviary ?), and laid two eggs, one

of which was hatched on May 4. The young one, a female, is

stated to have been fully reared and to be doing well, and is

perhaps the first that has been bred in the United Kingdom.


No account of the case, however, has come to hand,

neither has any communication been received from Mr.

Hemsworth; and the Honorary Secretary’s letter of inquiry

remains unanswered. The Society, therefore, is debarred from

considering the case in connection with the Medal.]



