112 BUDGERIGAR. 



"Such" he continues, "is the result I obtained, but I must admit 

 that it is culminating, a desideratum to which it will be well to as- 

 pire." 



So we should say: but even in this colder climate we have had 

 twenty-six young from two pairs in one season, and, perhaps, no more 

 than two the next. 



Budgerigars, we prefer this name to the longer appellation of Undu- 

 lated Grass Parrakeet, do better in small companies of from six to ten 

 pairs, than when kept in single couples; and if their aviary is of 

 sufficient extent, one hundred pairs may be placed together, with the 

 best aggregate results : but there must be no odd birds, neither solitary 

 hen, nor mateless cock, among the number. 



Of course there must be a sufficiency of nesting accommodation, in 

 the shape of hollow logs of wood, natural, or artificially made, or of 

 cocoa-nut husks; and, failing these, small boxes, such as cigar-boxes, 

 with a hole cut in the upper edge of sufficient size to admit of the 

 birds passing freely in and out, and half a cocoa-nut shell cemented 

 into the bottom; as otherwise the eggs would roll about on the flat 

 surface of the wood and be spoiled, while the concavity of the shell 

 affords a suitable receptacle for them. If a portion of the aviary is 

 protected from the weather, the birds may remain in it all the year 

 round, as they are very hardy, and appear to feel no ill effects from 

 the severest cold: of draughts, however, they are, in common with all 

 birds, very impatient, so that the aviary we prefer for them is one 

 placed against a wall that faces to the south, or the south-west, and 

 open at the top for the greater part of its extent; the open portion 

 should be well grassed, but it is useless to plant trees in the enclosure 

 as the inhabitants would immediately pull them to pieces. 



When the grass is long, the Budgerigars much delight to roll in 

 it, especially when wet with the morning dew, or a passing shower: 

 and it is a pretty sight to see them swimming as it were in the ocean 

 of verdure that surrounds them. 



The covered-in part of the aviary should be well lighted, or the whole 

 front may advantageously be made of glass, wired on the inside, lest 

 during a sudden nocturnal panic, to which these birds are subject, 

 they injure themselves by dashing against the glass: the top, however, 

 should be securely boarded over, and on the boards should be a covering 

 of thatch or felt. 



The nests should be placed in the covered-in portion of the aviary, 

 as near the roof as possible, and whether hollow log, or cocoa-nut husk, 

 or box, the aperture should be turned towards the light, in order to 

 enable the old birds to feed their young, which we have found that 



