8 
Grass Parrakects in Captivity. 
Before concluding tliis article I should like to add some 
thing" on the wider subject of bird-keeping in general. Most 
people keep birds for the enjoyment they derive from their 
beauty and interesting ways. This is all very well, but do we, as 
aviculturists, realize that our hobby should involve the recogni- 
tion of two important duties hitherto much neglected; the pres 
ervation of rare species from extinction, and the humane treat- 
ment of birds in general and of captive birds in particular ? When 
an interesting" or beautiful species is growing" rare in a wild state, 
is it not worth while to maintain an adequate stock in our 
aviaries, even if, by so doing, we have to forego the keeping" of 
as many new kinds as we may wish ? Is it not also worth while, 
by doing far more home breeding", and by encouraging" each 
other in this direction, to cut down, as far as possible, the 
importation of birds from abroad (I speak of course of normal 
times) which is usually attended by cruelty and waste of life ? 
Lastly is it not desirable, by encouraging dealers who keep their 
stock humanely and by boycotting, as far as possible, those who 
fio not, to raise the deplorably low standard of the bird trade? 
It is not enough that birds should look well while in our own 
possession; we should be able to know that they have reached 
us without suffering", and also that they will receive good treat- 
ment in other hands if we should be obliged to part with them, 
liiere is a lot of bad aviculture about at present, and I fear 
tfjat some of it is due to indifference and not ignorance. If you 
know for certain that you have not a reasonable chance of 
kf-eping a bird happy and in tip-top condition for something 
like the period of its natural life, for goodness' sake do not keep 
it at ail, and if it is cheap and common and you do not much 
prize it that is no excuse for doing it badly. Lastly do not 
overcrowd and do not keep birds together which are always 
bullying each other; even if they are not killed outright the 
weaker ones often die from some indirect result of continual 
harrying. Think how you would enjoy it yourself if you were 
to be shut up with a ferocious and ill-tempered German, who was 
always trying to hit you. and never gave you a moment's peace. 
If you keep a mixed collection, let there be harmony in it, and 
let that harmony be the result of careful selection of sex, species, 
and individuals, and of judicious aviary construction and 
