BUDQERIGAR. 115 



said about the necessity of giving the Budgerigar, and for that matter 

 all Parrots, a sufficient supply of soft food during the breeding-season. 



The following amusing and interesting account of the entree of a 

 young Budgerigar into the aviary world, is from the graphic pen of 

 M. E. Leroy: — 



"When a month old, the youthful Parrakeet has grown all his 

 feathers, and begins to pop his head out of the hole of the log in 

 which he was born. 



"His parents are near at hand, and cheer him on. 



"He is hungry and begs for food: but instead of feeding him as 

 usual, they promise him some by and bye: they show it to him on 

 the point of the paternal beak: they offer it to him, backing away at 

 the same time, in order to induce him to advance: in other words, 

 they hold the sweet-meat high. 



"He would gladly come out, but is afraid. 



"He puts out his head, and, amazed by the unknown, by the vastness 

 of all around, backs in again. 



"He looks down, and is seized with giddiness: he looks up, and 

 the giddiness increases: it is so deep, up there! 



"He, too, would gladly fly like his parents, enjoy all the beautiful 

 things he sees, bathe himself in the sun rays, drink the dew, plume 

 himself on the perches, take his place at the seed-pan, cling to the 

 spray of chickweed. 



"Ah! yes, he would, indeed — but — he is afraid. 



"He ventures half his body out; he is off. Not at all! he darts 

 back again. The unknown attracts, and at the same time appals him. 

 He longs and is afraid. 



"His parents, who understand his hesitation, come to the rescue. 



" While his mother endeavours to coax him out with the bribe of 

 a dainty morsel, carefully held beyond his reach, the father, who has 

 crept into the interior of the log, comes upon him unawares, and gives 

 him a push behind to make him get on. 



"In vain! The child clings hard, and refuses to budge. It will 

 not be this time. 



"This pretty comedy sometimes continues for two or three days, 

 during which time the old hollow log will afford you as much entertain- 

 ment as a vaudeville. 



"All at once, when you are beginning to think he will never stir, 

 the youngster, who has at length grown familiar with the appearance 

 of the outside world, with the limitless expanse around him, the 

 youngster makes a start, and half afraid, half pleased, settles himself 

 upon a perch. 



