Walter Voigt—The Breeding of Bosella Parrakeets



39



a pair of Black-throated Cardinals ( Par oar ia gularis ), Amethyst

Starlings, etc. In the greenhouse I have several Sunbirds and Sugar-

birds, the old Forktail, a Blue-tailed Pitta, two pairs of Fairy Bluebirds,

caught by myself in Laos, one pair of Niltavas, one of Rainbow

Buntings, one Indian Crested Bunting, and several Mannikins of three

species ( Chiroxiphia pareola, Manacus manacus, and M. ruhricapillus).

These are charming birds, tame and quaint and beautifully coloured.

They do very well on a mixture of cut-up apple, sponge cake, and

and are really easier to keep than many Tanagers.


The results obtained in the Greenhouse Aviary have been so satis¬

factory as regards the health and condition of the tropical birds that

I have commenced to build a new one with all double glass to prevent

quick changes in temperature. It will include a highly heated division

for Humming-birds. I hope it will be ready by the early Spring.

It is connected with the present Greenhouse Aviary by a glass-covered

passage.


To put an end to this already too lengthy paper I shall mention

an extraordinarily tame and clever small Troupial ( Icterus croconotus)

which inhabits my room, more often free than in the cage, and

Mr. Fooks’ pet Hill Mynah which imitates my voice so well when I call

out “ Frank ! ” that one never knows whether it is I or the bird that

is calling.



THE BREEDING OF ROSELLA PARRAKEETS


By Walter Voigt, Jena, Germany


In the year 1926 I purchased a pair of Rosellas (Platycercus eximius)

from Gamages for a German fancier. The birds arrived here in perfect

condition and later on changed owners twice before they again came

into my possession in 1929. These beautiful birds spent the winter

in a metal cage 3 feet long, and it was really extraordinary how small

was the food consumption of such large birds compared with that

of the Budgerigar. The principal food consists of sunflower seed,

white millet, canary-seed, spray millet, and as an extra a mixture of



