274 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OE ANIMALS 



peaceful, someitmes difficulty is experienced in housing a species that 

 is known, or an individual that turns out, to be quarrelsome. The 

 barrabands' broadtail has been found to be' the worst in this respect: 

 the male rose-hill parrakeets also become very spiteful during the 

 breeding season, especially if the females are in the same cage, but 

 otherwise a rose-hill lives in perfect amity with other birds. The broad- 

 tails are as impatient of cold and draughts as other parrots, but in 

 Bengal they also suffer from the opposite extreme ; in the sultry hot 

 days of April and May, with fiery gusts of wind, parrots, like many 

 other birds, suffer dreadfully. At such times a shower-bath of cool 

 water should be administered in the afternoon. Aviaries with light 

 roofs become very hot during the summer, but the heat may be easily 

 alleviated if quick-growing trees be planted round or strong and 

 heavy creepers grow over them. In planting trees and creepers care 

 should be taken not to exclude the morning sun, which is very grateful 

 to the birds, especially during the winter. New Zealand parrakeets are 

 such quiet and shy birds that, unless numerous, they should be kept 

 in single cages. 



Food. — Grains, seeds, and vegetables constitute the principal food 

 of the broadtails and the New Zealand parrakeet; crumbs of bread 

 may also be occasionally given throughout the year. Indian-corn and 

 hem-pseeds should be given sparingly during the hot weather, but 

 sugarcane, soaked gram, and vegetables are recommended. In their 

 wild state these birds feed largely on insects and worms, and in capti- 

 vity they will pick up maggots intended for other birds living with 

 them, but this should be prevented if possible, as insect food is injurious 

 to them in confinement. A small quantity of rock salt should be kept 

 in one corner of the aviary containing the broadtails, especially the 

 Pennants' ; all should have free access to clean drinking-water. Being 

 generally delicate, especially on arrival, the New Zealand parrakeets 

 should be carefully watched during the first few weeks of their 

 altered life ; they are supposed to feed on insects, and may be allowed 

 a few in conjunction with other food. 



Breeding. — None of the broadtails have ever bred in this garden, 

 but this is owing more to the want of suitable accommodation than to 

 any want of inclination. 



Transport. — Though not endowed with the formidable cutting 

 power of a cockatoo, some of the broadtails are destructive ; in provid- 

 ing a travelling cage for them, not only should it be made sufficiently 

 strong, but logs of old wood and cocoanut shells should be provided 

 to allow them to exercise their beaks upon. 



Treatment in sickness. 



Diarrhoea and cold are very common among the broadtails, the 

 results of unsuitable dieting and exposure. 



Observations on their habits. 



Pennants' broadtails are gregarious in habits, and even in cap- 

 tivity they flock together ; they are naturally shy, quiet and peace- 

 able : Barrabands' broadtails, on the contrary, are spiteful and bad 



