172 BIRDS 



as common as the green form. Some twenty-five or thirty 

 years ago a blue variety appeared, but quickly died out. In 

 November, 1910, three birds of this color were exhibited at 

 a bird show in Londoti by a Belgian aviculturist, who is 

 stated to have secured them in France. For a few years 

 following the reappearance of the lost variety a great effort 

 was made to perpetuate it. Despite all, however, it has 

 gradually decreased in numbers, and seems to be about to 

 disappear for the second time. 



The three color phases of the Grass Parrakeet are par- 

 ticularly interesting because of the splitting up of the typical 

 green into its components, blue and yellow. 



The Grass Parrakeet is a hardy species, being indifferent 

 to cold if well sheltered. It breeds freely, often in the con- 

 fines of a cage. If turned into a fair-sized aviary, young 

 birds in considerable numbers may be expected. Several 

 pairs will breed together in perfect equanimity, if there 

 are a sufficient number of nesting boxes. There should be 

 about six inches in each dimension, with an entrance hole 

 about one and one-half inches in diameter in one side, near 

 the top. A perch should be attached outside, and the bottom 

 of the box must be slightly scooped out, to keep the eggs 

 together, as these birds carry no nesting material. 



The food of Grass Parrakeets should be simple. Oats, 

 canary and millet are best, and should be supplemented with 

 plenty of green food, particularly when young are in the 

 nests. 



