12 PILE AT ED PARRAKEET. 



pets, the Pileated Parrakeet, in our opinion, occupies a very high place 

 indeed. 



That it is not noisy in the least degree, and is extremely beautiful, 

 without being gaudy or "loud" in colour, is surely enough to recom- 

 mend a most delightful creature to the favourable notice of connoisseurs. 

 It is much to be regretted that so few of these eminently desirable 

 birds should be imported, and that their treatment should be so little 

 understood; that when one arrives, it as often as not, is lost through 

 ignorance of the proper way to manage it on the part of its owner. 



The death of the young birds, brought up from the nest by hand, 

 that were received by the late A. H. Jamrach may be attributed, without 

 doubt, to the insanitary condition of their surroundings during the 

 voyage; for on their arrival at his place of business, that well-known 

 dealer, much to be regretted by amateurs, assured us they were in a 

 deplorably filthy state, and although he at once attended to them, and 

 placed them in more comfortable quarters than the poor creatures had 

 occupied for weeks; they all, as far as we are aware, ultimately died. 



Should another of these birds ever pass into the hands of the writer, 

 he would keep it very warm in the first instance, gradually lowering 

 the temperature as the bird became acclimatised; would not permit it 

 to wash except in tepid water, which he would also supply for drinking 

 purposes, and would feed on oats and bread-sop, gradually weaning 

 to canary seed; by which means he believes he would be more successful 

 than he was in the last instance, when one of these very charming birds 

 came into his possession; and thus secure a mate for "Pilate". 



