74 • CASSELL S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



perceptible. When going to the stream, they alighted freely in large flocks upon the dead twigs of 

 the Eucalypti, or on the branches that hung down to the water. Their activity is wonderful, and 

 their flight very rapid, resembling that of the falcon or swallow ; they run upon the ground with 

 facility, but their feet are ill adapted for climbing among the branches of trees. When on the wing 

 they utter a screaming cry; and whilst perched amuse each other with a caressing kind of twitter, 

 which might almost be termed a song. The Waved Parrot congregates in parties, even during the 

 breeding-time, although pairs are easily distinguished by their faithful devotion to each other. The 

 nest is made in the holes and fissures of gum-trees, and in December contains from four to six eggs of 

 a pure white colour and somewhat round shape. By the end of December the young have flown 

 out and are capable of providing for themselves ; they then collect in great flocks, that fly about in 

 company with the old birds. As soon as the breeding-time is over, the flocks begin their migrations, 

 during which they pass regularly from south to north, and only return to their breeding-place when 

 the grass-seeds are ripe. Throughout South Australia they appear in spring, and also in autumn, with 

 the same precision as our migratory birds. Some years ago only solitary Waved Parrots were 

 occasionally seen amongst us ; but at the present time every ship brings hundreds to Europe. Before 

 leaving Australia, the captives are put together in wooden cages, the perches of which are placed like 

 little flights of steps above each other, so as to hold a great number of birds in the smallest possible 

 space. Such a travelling bower presents a most amusing appearance ; the whole party sits in lines, 

 so that one row of faces appears above the heads of another, and all eyes are fixed upon an observer, 

 as they seem to beg to be freed from their confinement. Quarrels and strife have never been 

 observed among them, and until breeding-time, thousands live most comfortably together, those of 

 the same sex as happily as the little pairs do. We have seen one of the large cages of a bird 

 merchant, that had formed part of a cargo of these birds, and contained more than a thousand 

 pairs, all of which lived in great harmony. The Waved Parrot does not belong to the " inseparables " 

 ■ — that is, to those species that pine and die on the loss of their mates ; but it loves the society of 

 its own species, and prefers the company of the opposite sex. Sometimes it will associate with a 

 small parrot of a different species, though it never shows the same attachment that it exhibits to its 

 own. It is, however, necessary to keep these birds in pairs, as under any other circumstances they 

 are never seen to full advantage. They require little change in their food, and can live upon millet 

 or canary seed ; they will also eat the juicy leaves of plants, cabbage, and other vegetables ; but 

 despise fruit, sugar, and dainties. In spite of their preference for dry food, they drink very little, 

 sometimes not for weeks together, but their owner must not, on that account, neglect to give them 

 fresh water. 



Most parrots, however gentle their disposition, become quite insupportable by reason of their 

 noise. This is, however, by no means the case with the Waved Parrots ; they can produce a great 

 variety of sounds, but never use their voice in such a degree as to become tiresome, or except to 

 express pleasure. It is not too much to say that the male of this species should be reckoned among 

 the singing birds, for its notes are something more than a twitter, and often become a very expressive 

 though modest song ; it may, indeed, be taught to imitate the notes of other good singers in such a 

 manner as to deceive an expert ear. In order to rear these birds, they should be placed in a small 

 room, which can be aired and warmed without disturbing the occupants ; the floor should be strewed 

 with sand, and the walls hung with boxes. It is advisable, but not necessary, to ornament the 

 chamber with living and harmless plants, for these offer the best places for rest and concealment ; 

 evergreens are particularly suitable for this purpose. Holes should be made in hollow blocks of 

 willow-trees, and divided into compartments by boards, so that many pairs may make their nests in 

 the same block. A room of this description is by far the best for breeding purposes, but in most 



