2M4 Breeding the Sliarp-taiLed Finch. 
ever risked a peep occasionally. The skin of the naked 
nestling is flesh-pink; down whitish, short and scanty; corners 
of mouth white. 
The nest is a large sphere, with a very wide entrance 
hole near the top. Very coarse materials are preferred, such 
as dead bind-wecd or straw, but in the absence of this, dry 
grass will serve. Sometimes a few feathers are used for the 
lining. 
The young ones may be reared on seed alone, and I 
have seen their crops distended with millet, but m addition, 
a large quantity of tender shoots of grass is used. 
The white eggs are almost perfect ovals in shape. 
The plumage of the young birds on leaving the nest 
is similar to that of the old birds, but is altogether duller, 
and not so sharply contrasted. 
This season, so far, two young ones are on the wing, 
almost independent, and the old birds are nesting again. 
♦ 
Stanley and Many-coloured Parrakeets. 
Bv. J. Smith. 
In response to your request, though, 1 fear, I have 
nothing new to tell, I am sending you an account of my 
success with these lovely species. 
Stanley Parrakeet {Platycercus ictcrotis). I have 
had my pair for about seven years now, and consider I have 
been fairly fortunate with them, as they have sent fifteen 
young Stanleys out into the world during that period, and 
all have been very strong and vigorous birds. 1 hey do not 
seem to mind how many small birds are in the aviary with 
them, but will not tolerate the presence of the larger s]XM ics. 
I have had Cockateels, Rosellas. Many-colours, Black-faced 
Lovebirds, etc. with them, but have been obli^a'd to remove 
them or the cock would soon have killed them. 
I'P to this year they have nested in a log in the 
shelter; this season for some reason they wished to nest in 
a box in the flight, which was not (suitable, and being out- 
side I feared the cats would disturb them, so 1 nailed a 
board over the entrance; this they strongly objected to and 
