Breeding Swainsoii s Lo? ikeeis. 187 
looking in, found they had two eggs. Unfortunately they 
smashed one, but hatched out the other, and reared it up in the 
roof; but, as I did not like this nesting place for them, being 
difficult to keep clean, I blocked up the hole as soon as they had 
brought the youngster down. 
In April they seemed very anxious to nest again ; I put 
them in a large wooden nest box, and this time they successfully 
reared two youngsters ; the finest they have ever reared. These 
when old enough I removed to a large aviary in the con.servatory, 
where they lived happily with their brothers and sisters, six 
altogether. 
The old pair are now (August 19th) nesting again, and so 
far have an egg. If they rear another brood it will make three 
in less than a year. They had previously only nested once in 
the year, each time about Christmas. 
All their progeny are strong, healthy birds which have 
never been sick or sorry during their little lifetime. They are 
very tame and affectionate, but express their affection by scream- 
ing at the top of their voices whenever they see anyone they are 
fond of. The moment I appear I am greeted with a perfect babel 
of shrill cries. Much of it being, I am afraid, cupboard love, as 
they generally expect me to give them some /// bit in the shape 
of cake, fruit or chickweed, they are also very fond of jam and 
every day at tea time begin to call out to draw attention, and 
although they cannot see us at tea they seem to know the time 
quite well. I now feed them on bread and milk, made with 
boiled milk, and they certainly do well thereon. I have never 
known any of them in rough plumage, with the exception of 
sometimes having a few tail feathers frayed or broken ; they are 
in perfect condition and quite tight in feather. 
I have had very little success with my other birds this 
season, rearing but few Canaries and Budgerigars, and losing 
more than I have reared. 
I have a pair of Indian Rock Parrots which I had great 
hopes of, for they sat for over three weeks on a clutch of eggs, 
which however failed to hatch out. Have these birds been known 
to breed in England? * 
• I presume j ou nieau the Rock Pebbler Parrakeet, if so, they liave been bred iu this 
couiiti y.— Er>. 
