256 Post Mortem Examinations.


FRENCH MOULT IN PARRAKEETS.


The feather disease popularly known as " French Moult" is some-

times prevalent amongst Budgerigars and is probably attribittable to over-

crowding or improper treatment. Other Parrakeets are sometimes affected,

and we have known of cases of Many-colours, Bourkes' and especially Red-

rumps being afflicted with the complaint. An interesting and remarkable

case of the disease appearing amongst wild Redrumps is recorded in the

current number of The Emu, as follows :


" In the neighbourhood of the Adelaide Hills the Red-rumped Grass-

Parrakeet {Psephotus hceinalonotus) was up to the years 1887-8 one of the

commonest representatives of the family Psittacidce. One of the early

settlers in Mt. Baker district, who settled there in 1839, saj ? s that they were

most numerous in that neighbourhood until the 3'ears named. I can endorse

this as regards the years 1S85 and 1S86, when I first visited the Colon}'. In

the years 1S87-S a disease, if such it can be called, attacked the species.

When the birds moulted they did not get their feathers again ; a number of

naked Parrakeets were running about the paddocks. I caught a number of

them, and they appeared to be quite healthy, except being destitute of

feathers. I conclude that the practical extermination of this species, as far

as the Adelaide Hills were concerned, was due to their falling an easy prey

to predaceous animals. So complete was the distinction that neither my

friends nor myself observed this species in the Mt. Baker district for several

years. Even now, twenty years afterwards, this species is still comparatively

scarce, although there are a few scattered throughout the district, but no

larsre mobs."



POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS.



RULES.


Kach bird must be forwarded, as soon after death as possible, carefully packed and post-

age paid, direct to Mr. Arthur Gill, r,auherne, Bexley Heath, Kent, and must be

accompanied by a letter containing- the fullest particulars of the case, and a fee

of 1/- for each bird. If a reply by post is required a fee of 2/6 must be enclosed.

Domestic poultry, pigeons, and Canaries can only be reported on by post.



CockaTiet. (The Hon. Lady Harvey). The bird died through the effects of

an injury to the skull, no doubt caused when being caught.


Ansiuered by post :


Mrs. Johnstone. Mr. C Castle-Sloane. Mrs. Whitehead.


Capt. G. Rice. Mr. E. J. Brook. Miss J. Gladstone.



