144 
PENNANT’S PABBAEEET. 
his relations; in factj when he is courting, his “cooing’’, or warbling, 
might almost bo called a song, and when heard for the first time amid 
the noonday silence of an Australian forest, it makes on the hearer an 
agreeable impression^that does not soon wear off. 
We have heard of talking Pennants, but never actually met -with 
one that spoke articulately; but we make no doubt, for the bird is 
exceedingly intelligent,^that if taken in hand when a nestling, and 
properly taught, it might be made to, not only whistle, but speak. 
Like most of the Australian Plaiycerci, the Pennants are fond of a 
little insect food now and then, but in captivity they will do very well 
without it, and will rear their progeny on boiled maize and oats, with 
canary, millet and hemp seed, and a piece of stale bread soaked in 
cold water; a lump of rock-salt should always be within their reach. 
The Hon. and Rev. F. G. Dutton's account of Pennanf s 
Parrakeet (Platycercus Pennanti). 
I no not know that I have anything worth adding to that which is 
already known about these birds. Their extreme beauty and pleasant 
note must always make them desirable cage birds. Their only draw- 
back is their shyness. I have not found it possible to overcome this 
in birds once shy. But I have seen very tame specimens; only when 
they were, they were apt to be spiteful at the same time. 
It is a pity that our Australian cousins do not take the same pains 
with Pennant’s Parrakeets that the Germans do with Bullfinches: I 
should think that with the same pains they would learn a great deal 
more, and might learn one or two tunes easily. I have never heard 
one talk, but if taken young from the nest, they would no doubt learn 
if taught with method. 
Pennant’s Parrakeet is described by Bechstein under the head of 
the “Purple Parrot.” 
END OF VOL. I. 
B. FAWCETT, ENGRATER AND PRINTER, DRIFFIELD. 
