A. Martin—Hand Rearing the King and Pennant Parrakeet 259


would have nothing to do with the nest-boxes, and during May three

eggs were laid on the ground of the outside flight. The hen sat quite

well, and my hopes rose day by day as hatching time came nearer ;

but, alas ! they were suddenly dashed to the ground.


Early one morning I found that once again she had deserted :

the eggs were quite cold. I left them a while longer to see if she would

return ; but no such luck, so I gathered up the eggs and, placing them

in some lukewarm water, found that one of them at least contained

a live chick. What could I do with it ? I had no other birds sitting

at this time except a pair of Pennant’s and I dare not risk interfering

with these. I was just about to throw the eggs away when suddenly

a Silky Bantam cock began to crow. The Silky hen wa? incubating

some Quails’ eggs, so under her went the King’s eggs. Three days later

one hatched out ; the other two contained dead chicks. I took away

the young one and placed it in a brooder which I had fitted up for

the birds in case of egg-binding. With the aid of an incubator lamp

I was able to keep a regular temperature of 85°. Next day the chick

was quite strong, so I commenced to feed it, mixing up the following

mixture : Equal parts of soaked pea-nuts and sunflower seed ; half

part of grated apple ; a small quantity of Horlick’s Malted Milk ;

chopped up milk thistle, and a pinch of Marmite. This w~as moistened

with the yolk of an egg and, placing the mixture in the mouth, I

chewed it up to a milky pulp and fed the little bird from the mouth.

It took its food quite readily. I placed the chick in a flower pot with

a small quantity of decayed wood at the bottom. All went well ; the

chick began to grow and was quite strong.


At twelve days the eyes began to open and at sixteen days they

were wide open ; feathers also began to make their appearance, and

I had great hopes of a successful rearing. At three weeks it was

fairly well covered with feathers. I then thought it advisable to

place it in a nesting log, so I got one that is used for small Lovebirds.

It continued to grow, and I was highly delighted. I used to write to

my employer every few days telling her how the bird was progressing :

she was away from home at the time. All went well for a few more

days and then came disaster. Somehow during the night it managed

to crawl out of the log, and next morning I found it floundering on



