BOSY-FAGED LOVE-BIBB. 
131 
doned; but I have seen about an equal number of Siedel Sparrows 
and Peach-faced Parrots located under one roof- tree/” 
“The Peach-faced Love-birds which I have myself kept^’j continues 
Dr. Brehm, “and watched in captivity^ have greatly excited my interest. 
Their manner and habits contrast advantageously with those of other 
dwarf Parrots : they are evidently more intelhgent, bodily and mentally 
active, possess all the engaging qualities of their relatives, and others 
in addition, which render them very attractive. They always maintain 
their plumage in perfect order, they are very gay, generally on the 
move and chattering, amiable with other birds, affectionate towards 
their mate, and devoted to their offspring. 
“Their movements in climbing resemble those of other small Parrots, 
but they also remind us of the Hanging, or Bat Parrakeets, since like 
these they occasionally hang themselves from the roof of their cage. 
Their voice is almost too shrill for a small room, but in a larger space, 
whether kept in an open flight cage, or otherwise, it gives little or no 
annoyance. It may best be described as a twittering, now and then 
prolonged into trills. 
“Sometimes the male bird sits motionless, ruffled up, and with closed 
eyes, as if absorbed in thought, and twitters forth a little song, the 
single notes of which resemble his ordinary call, yet so softened and 
modified by connecting sounds, which vary so considerably in strength 
and accentuation, that an agreeable variety results. 
“Winning as the Peach-face is when kept in single pairs, or several 
together, it is not until they prepare to breed that we are made aware 
of all their peculiarities. By accident I became acquainted with their 
indispensable requirements. When I obtained my first pair of Peach- 
faces, Andersson^s observations as to their habits in a wild state were 
not yet published, so that I had of course no suspicion that they dif- 
fered so considerably in their nesting arrangements from those common 
to other dwarf Parrots and Parrakeets. My pets were paired, displaying 
the greatest affection for each other by repeated caresses, but did not 
commence to breed earnestly; they became as quarrelsome toward their 
little companions tho Weaver Birds, as they were amiable toward those 
of their own kind, destroying their nests, and being generally trouble- 
some. I put this down to wautonness, and did not interfere. 
^'They slipped in and out of the nest-box designed for them, but 
seemed to look upon it more as a place of concealment than a nesting 
place. They were evidently anxious to breed, and as plainly were in 
want of something. As they had hitherto only accepted grain as food, 
it occurred to me they might be bud-eaters, and I therefore procured 
leafy green sprays of willow for them. In a few minutes they had 
