286



Correspondence



journals, all kinds of virtues and vices are attributed to this bird. Now,

why on earth should any bird bred from ordinary King-necks have

different habits to its parents ? According to this a Black Leghorn

should have different habits from a White Leghorn. All birds of the

same breed differ slightly individually, and this is also the case with the

Melanistic. To claim it is hardier and a better flyer and stayer than its

parents is pure imagination, or else a case of the wish being father to

the thought.


G. Beever.



NORFOLK ISLAND PAKKAKEETS


I thought it might be of some little interest to members to know that

I have just received a small consignment of rare birds, including eight of

the very rare Norfolk Island Parrakeets, which are reputed to be nearly

extinct. Judging from the number which I have received in this last

twelve months, thirteen in all, this cannot be so. I have also received

a pair of the wonderful Fijian Red-shining Parrakeets and seven

Norfolk Island Green-wing Doves, a species not imported before. The

Norfolk Island Parrakeets arrived in almost show condition, and very

tame, which speaks well for the care taken of them during the many

thousands of miles they travelled, for they came from Norfolk Island

to Auckland and then via Cape Horn to London.


I have been trying hard to breed from two Norfolk Island Parrakeets

all summer, but found that the supposed hen was a young cock. The

only hen I received in the first consignment I let a fellow member have,

and I heard that this bird is breeding. Perhaps we shall hear something

later from the very able pen of the owner.


I am shortly leaving for New Zealand, where I hope to reside in

some of the more remote parts, and study the unique avifauna of those

islands.


I also hope to visit some of the more remote islands, such as

Antipodes Island, Chatham Island, and possibly Norfolk Island.


I was hoping to be able to let members either have on loan or at the

cost of importation several pairs of the Norfolk Island Parrakeets

to try and breed from, but with the tightening of the foolish restrictions



