Correspondence



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Have her ; she was so weak and exhausted that she let me pick her up quite

easily although, as a rule, she is not at all tame.


The cock went back to the nest, continued to sit, and eventually hatched

every single one of the nine eggs. Since then he has been a model parent,

and looks after his brood just as the hen used to do. Some days after

I removed the hen I discovered a rotten nest with six eggs, which I have

put under a hen, but it is too soon to find out whether these eggs are fertile.


I am rather curious to know whether it is usual in the Partridge family

for the cock to take over all responsibility in bringing up the family ; or

whether what happened in my aviary is an unusual freak.


P. P. Debono.



SUCCESSFUL BREEDING OF AUSTRALIAN PARRAKEETS


I have pleasure in reporting a very curious and successful breeding of

three pairs of Australian Parrakeets, which commenced laying on 14th April,

1933, each pair laying four eggs, and all commenced serious incubation on

Easter Monday, 17th April, 1933, the result being :—


(1) Recently imported pair of Bourke’s Parrakeets. Laid four eggs ;

hatched two; two were infertile. Time, eighteen days. Nest-box :

11 in. X 11 in. x 2 ft. 6 in. high, with about a 3-in. hole near top. The box

being filled with earth to within 8 in. of hole. Male bird definitely did not

assist in incubation, as suggested in Green’s Reference Booh. Two birds in

practically full adult plumage left the nest on 11th June, 1933. They appeared

rather wild first day, but second day onwards they became quite steady.

Parents fed young almost entirely on soaked bread.


(2) Elegant Grass Parrakeet. Laid four eggs ; hatched three ; one died in

nest about three days old ; one egg infertile. Time, about twenty days.

The nest used was similar to that used for the Bourke’s. Female only

incubated. Male bird perched on top, or on perch in front of entrance-hole,

practically the whole period. 15th June two young ones popped their heads

out of the entrance-hole, but did not leave the nest. They are fully feathered,

dark green, their heads are shaped more like Peplars than Elegants. They

are in fine condition.


(3) Rock Peplar Parrakeets. This pair of birds, second time in my

possession. Laid four eggs ; hatched four. Time, about twenty-eight days.

22nd June they were in perfect condition ; three-quarters the size of the

parents, and in adult plumage, but have not left the nest. I had erected

a natural hollow log for these birds, which seemed to me ideal. I also placed

an old wooden travelling box on end to stand on in the event of my wishing

to inspect the nest. The outcome of this was, the birds took to the dirty

old box and laid on the bare wood, incubated and reared her young. This is

quite contrary to Lord Tavistock’s reference book. The } 7 oung birds are being

fed almost entirely on wet bread.


Since writing the above, the Elegant and Rock Peplar Parrakeets have

left the nest. Particulars are as follows :—


Elegant Grass Parrakeets. Left the nest on 24th June.


Rock Peplar Parrakeets. Two left the nest on 26th June, the other two

on 27th June. These birds are identical in plumage to the female.


A. J. Patterson.



