ROSY-FACED LOVE-BIBB. 131 



doned; but I have seen about an equal number of Siedel Sparrows 

 and Peach-faced Parrots located under one roof-tree/" 



"The Peach-faced Love-birds which I have myself kept", continues 

 Dr. Brehrn, "and watched in captivity, have greatly excited my interest. 

 Their manner and habits contrast advantageously with those of other 

 dwarf Parrots: they are evidently more intelligent, bodily and mentally 

 active, possess all the engaging qualities of their relatives, and others 

 in addition, which render them very attractive. They always maintain 

 their plumage in perfect order, they are very gay, generally on the 

 move and chattering, amiable with other birds, affectionate towards 

 their mate, and devoted to their offspring. 



"Their movements in climbing resemble those of other small Parrots, 

 but they also remind us of the Hanging, or Bat Parrakeets, since like 

 these they occasionally hang themselves from the roof of their cage. 

 Their voice is almost too shrill for a small room, but in a larger space, 

 whether kept in an open flight cage, or otherwise, it gives little or no 

 annoyance. It may best be described as a twittering, now and then 

 prolonged into trills. 



"Sometimes the male bird sits motionless, ruffled up, and with closed 

 eyes, as if absorbed in thought, and twitters forth a little song, the 

 single notes of which resemble his ordinary call, yet so softened and 

 modified by connecting sounds, which vary so considerably in strength 

 and accentuation, that an agreeable variety results. 



"Winning as the Peach-face is when kept in single pairs, or several 

 together, it is not until they prepare to breed that we are made aware 

 of all their peculiarities. By accident I became acquainted with their 

 indispensable requirements. When I obtained my first pair of Peach- 

 faces, Andersson's observations as to their habits in a wild state were 

 not yet published, so that I had of course no suspicion that they dif- 

 fered so considerably in their nesting arrangements from those common 

 to other dwarf Parrots and Parrakeets. My pets were paired, displaying 

 the greatest affection for each other by repeated caresses, but did not 

 commence to breed earnestly; they became as quarrelsome toward their 

 little companions the Weaver Birds, as they were amiable toward those 

 of their own kind, destroying their nests, and being generally trouble- 

 some. I put this down to wantonness, and did not interfere. 



"They slipped in and out of the nest-box designed for them, but 

 seemed to look upon it more as a place of concealment than a nesting 

 place. They were evidently anxious to breed, and as plainly were in 

 want of something. As they had hitherto only accepted grain as food, 

 it occurred to me they might be bud-eaters, and I therefore procured 

 leafy green sprays of willow for them. In a few minutes they had 



