8 S. Harvey—Breeding the Splendid or Scarlet-chested Parrakeet



BREEDING THE SPLENDID OR SCARLET¬

CHESTED PARRAKEET


(A eophema splendida )


By S. Harvey (Adelaide)


In August, 1931, we were all very surprised when several pairs of

this beautiful Parrakeet were captured and brought to Adelaide.

The Governor secured one pair which was sent to His Majesty the

King. These arrived in England safely and were greatly admired,

and caused quite a stir in avicultural circles. The remainder were

purchased by South Australian aviculturists. Some of the Parrakeets-

were trapped west of Oodnadatta, others along the east-west line,

one hen bird was caught by a Hawk and fortunately rescued by a farmer

near Yaninee on the west coast of Eyre’s Peninsula ; so it will be seen

that these birds at times are found over a large area of South Australia.


Now that we had at last secured these extremely rare Parrakeets

the questions were : “ Have they ever been bred in captivity ? ” and

“ Can we breed them ? ” The first question was answered by the

Editor of the Avicultural Magazine —stating that there was no'

record of the Scarlet-chested Parrakeet ever being reared in captivity.

I was fortunate in securing the hen the Hawk caught, also birds from

both the other districts, so, barring accidents, will be set up for breeding.


The first two pairs of these Parrakeets I purchased were from

near Oodnadatta, one of the cocks was an adult fully coloured bird

(it is my belief that these Parrakeets are not fully coloured until at

least two years of age), the other was a younger bird, only showing

a small patch of scarlet on the chest. This bird was decidedly off colour

when offered to me, no doubt feeling the effects of its long journey.

Knowing that to do anything with breeding I needed at least two pairs,

I snapped up the four birds that were offered without hesitation, and

considered myself very fortunate to have been given the opportunity

to add them to my collection. They were taken home at once and put

in large box cages in the aviary; on sunny days they were placed

outside, but most of the time they were kept in, with the radiator

burning day and night; this was necessary on account of the young

cock looking so miserable, nearly always sitting fluffed up. After



