The Marquess of Tavistock—Breeding Notes for 1933 383



Island King was given a couple of lutino-bred Ringneck’s eggs which

unfortunately failed to hatch. After this she laid two more infertile

clutches. I must try and get her a mate of her own species as it is a

pity such a fine breeder should be wasted. The third Crimson-wing,

paired to the Princess of Wales Hybrid did not nest, neither did a new

Australian King imported last autumn.


The Worcester’s Hanging Parrot, paired to the Golden-backed,

as usual laid and faithfully incubated two infertile clutches, an

experiment in vitamin feeding failing to achieve any good result.


The Racket-tailed Parrots for a long time raised my hopes, the hen

visiting the nest freely, but no eggs appeared and they are now in

moult.


The lutino Blue-fronted Amazon continues to disappoint me,

though she has come into breeding condition more than once and quite

often enters the nest. I have never been able to get a really satis¬

factory cock for her. The last one, though most ferocious with human

beings and a good flier, refused to pair and always began to moult

in May when the lutino was most eager to breed. His successor is

so wing-stiff from long caging that he cannot fly after nearly two years

in the aviary, he is stupidly nervous and nearly has a fit every time

anyone passes within twenty yards of him and he, too, has a predilection

for May moulting. A pair of Red-collared Lorikeets, lent me by

Keston, laid two eggs that failed to hatch. They are vicious brutes,

the hen being even worse than her companion in her whole-hearted

efforts to bite.


A new pair of Leadbeater’s Cockatoos nested and laid four eggs—

rather a large clutch for Cockatoos in confinement. Unfortunately,

though he sat well, the cock refused to pair. I have reason to think

he will do better next season.


The white Roseate and his grey mate again reared two grey young

ones, I think a pair. Their two sons of last year have grown into

fine strong birds. I have been fortunate recently in securing a nice

pair of true Albinos with pink feet and reddish eyes (my old cock’s

feet and eyes are normal) so that in time with good luck I may be able

to build up a strain of this very beautiful variety. A white Roseate

in good plumage is even lovelier than a Leadbeater as the breast is



