NEW ZEALAND PABBAKEET. 15 



favourite, and is with every one who knows him, so that we expect 

 before long to find him one of the commonest of cage pets. 



As we have said, his voice is peculiar, but not disagreeable, resem- 

 bling somewhat the subdued bleating of a young goat, whence his 

 German name of Ziegensittich. The female is a very silent bird, and 

 beyond a faint squeak, or bleat, now and then, we have not heard 

 her make any kind of noise. 



When first imported these birds should be fed on oats, part of 

 which should be boiled before being given to them: many of them 

 will also eat crumb of bread steeped for a few minutes in cold water, 

 and then squeezed nearly dry; they drink a good deal, and should 

 always have access to a free supply of clean water. 



Green food must be given sparingly at first, as they are apt to eat 

 it so greedily as to bring on diarrhsea: after a time they can be ac- 

 customed to canary seed as their general diet, adding oats and hemp 

 seed now and then as a variety. 



Sometimes they are imported in large numbers, and can then be 

 bought cheaply ; at other times they are scarce, and barely to be had 

 at any price. 



The Hon. and Rev. F. G. Duttori' 's account of the New Zealand 

 Parrakeet (Cyanoramphus Novae Zealandiae). 



This bird resembles the Pennant's Parrakeet in its habits: it is shy 

 and gentle, a quiet bird, and very fond of bathing. I have known 

 three, of which two were talkers, but none of them tame enough to 

 allow themselves to be handled. The two that talked said several 

 sentences, but did not pick up anything fresh. They are very attractive 

 cage-birds for any one who likes quiet birds, but they are rather 

 wanting in character. I dare say they would breed readily in an 

 aviary, and then, if any one would be at the pains to rear the young 

 by hand, I think they would make the most delightful pets. Mine 

 eat hemp and canary seed, and had plain water. 



