Alec Brooksbank—Breeding the Varied Lorikeet in Captivity 193


About March, Lord Tavistock and my partner, E. J. Boosey, were

going round the aviaries together, and as there was such a mystery

about the existence or otherwise of the young Lorikeets they decided

they would look in to see what was happening. So with the help of

a torch they managed to peer down to the bottom of the nest where to

their great astonishment (and mine when I heard about it !) they saw

some youngsters, probably hatched about fourteen days or so. In

looking in they had of course greatly disturbed the parents, who now,

we all thought, were sure to desert, but as soon as everyone was out

of sight they eventually, and much to our relief, went back into the box.


From March to May I heard feeding noises again and on 14th May

one youngster emerged. It was exactly like the hen only had a rather

beautiful spot of yellowy-orange feathers on the back of its neck, which

is entirely lacking in either of the adult birds. By night the parents

had induced it back into the nest where it stayed until the 16th, since

when it has grown considerably and is almost as strong and large

as its parents.


The birds have always been fed on our Lorikeet food and sweetened

stewed apple, no further extras of any kind were given when they were

feeding the youngster, which can now take care of itself.


For those who are not familiar with this very beautiful little

Lorikeet the following description is taken from Lord Tavistock’s

book, and the photo, which accompanies this article was taken by me

of the parents last summer :—


Distribution—Northern and Western Australia.


Colour—Green, faintly tinged with vinous on the back and flanks.

Crown and feathers between eye and beak, red. Upper breast vinous

tinged with green and streaked with gold. Cheeks and back of neck

slate-coloured streaked or speckled with gold. A large gold patch in

the region of the ear. Breast and abdomen streaked with gold ; back

and wings faintly streaked with pale green. Tail pointed and not

very long. Bill red. Total length, 8 inches. Size about that of a

Peach-faced Lovebird.


As discretion is the better part of valour, I have refrained from

calling this article “ Breeding the Varied Lorikeet for the first time

in captivity ” although actually I believe this to be the case.



