The Budgerigar. 105 



tome in a small box, or a hoUo'w log : and I have even known 

 a pair that bred in an ordinary London- Canary-breeding cage. 

 If a small box is given to tbem to nest in, it will be ad- 

 visable to place a small quantity of sawdust on the bottom; 

 otherwise the eggs are apt to roll about on the smooth surface 

 and take cold; while if too much padding be used, the eggs 

 will get buried in it, and not hatch at all: but the natural 

 concavity of the cocoa-nut husk affords a capital receptacle 

 for the eggs and young; the greatest drawback to its use 

 being the harbour it provides for parasites, and if these in- 

 crease to any extent there will be small likelihood of success 

 in breeding: a husk that is found to be infefeted had better 

 be burnt at once. 



In their wUd state the Budgerigars feed entirely on the 

 seeds of indigenous Australian grasses, and in captivity live 

 almost exclusively on canary and millet seed; but when they 

 have young ones to feed, it is as well to supply them with 

 a few oats, and a piece of stale bread soaked for a few minutes 

 in boiling water, and then squeezed dry. A sod of grass should 

 always be at their disposal; and, contrary to the directions 

 given by a recent writer, it is unnecessary as well as unde- 

 sirable to deprive them of this luxury during the winter: 

 if, however, they have not been accustomed to it, it is better 

 not to give them any green food until warm weather has 

 set in. 



Budgerigars will exist for a marvellously long time without 

 drinking, but that is no reason why they should be kept 

 continually without water, especially if their diet is dry seed, 

 as I have seen recommended in a book: on the contrary 

 this deprivation of drink induces many diseases, such as con- 

 stipation, fits, and enlargement of the liver. I have noticed 

 that Budgerigars kept in an out-door aviary, in which, perhaps, 

 they succeed better than indoors, seldom drink or bathe, but 

 are very fond of rolling themselves in the wet grass, after 

 a shower of rain, or a heavy fall of dew; when I have also 



