144 PENNANT'S PARRAKEET. 



his relations; in fact, when he is courting, his "cooing", or warbling, 

 might almost be called a song, and when heard for the first time amid 

 the noonday silence of an Australian forest, it makes on the hearer an 

 agreeable impression that does not soon wear off. 



We have heard of talking Pennants, but never actually met with 

 one that spoke articulately; but we make no doubt, for the bird is 

 exceedingly intelligent, that if taken in hand when a nestling, and 

 properly taught, it might be made to, not only whistle, but speak. 



Like most of the Australian Platycerci, the Pennants are fond of a 

 little insect food now and then, but in captivity they will do very well 

 without it, and will rear their progeny on boiled maize and oats, with 

 canary, millet and hemp seed, and a piece of stale bread soaked in 

 cold water; a lump of rock-salt should always be within their reach. 



The Hon. and Rev. F. G. Button's account of Pennant' 's 

 Parrakeet (Platycercus Pennanti). 



I do not know that I have anything worth adding to that which is 

 already known about these birds. Their extreme beauty and pleasant 

 note must always make them desirable cage birds. Their only draw- 

 back is their shyness. I have not found it possible to overcome this 

 in birds once shy. But I have seen very tame specimens; only when 

 they were, they were apt to be spiteful at the same time. 



It is a pity that our Australian cousins do not take the same pains 

 with Pennant's Parrakeets that the Germans do with Bullfinches: I 

 should think that with the same pains they would learn a great deal 

 more, and might learn one or two tunes easily. I have never heard 

 one talk, but if taken young from the nest, they would no doubt learn 

 if taught with method. 



Pennant's Parrakeet is described by Bechstein under the head of 

 the "Purple Parrot/' 



END OF VOL. I. 



B. FAWCETT, ENGRAVER AND PRINTER, DRIFFIELD. 





