28



L. C. Webber — Blue-winged Parrot



for the hen commenced to think of building another nest. The young

was a cock, the colour lighter than a hen. The bill by now was half the

length of that of an adult, and the tail feathers almost full length.

On Sunday, 23rd February, the young occasionally called for the hen

to feed it, often without being satisfied. It quickly developed into a

handsome young cock, assumed full colour next spring, and is now a

happy inhabitant of a fellow aviculturist’s aviary.


0. K. Hutchinson.



BLUE-WINGED PARROT


(Neophema chrysostoma)


SOMETHING NEW ?


By L. C. Webber


The following notes were sent to me by a naturalist friend in

Tasmania, the result of past discussions on the above-named Parrot.


Avian equilibrium is a factor that must not be unduly disturbed

and should be given very careful consideration.


Assimilative colouring as regards surroundings is also an important

item at all times. These conditions could be suitably applied to Blue-

wings.


Mating which commences about the end of October (Tas.) can be

delayed or quickened by correct feeding. (This is not given.)


Fresh eggs (thirty-two) of this species were sent by me to Professor

V. A. Khakhlofi of the Tomsk University about ten years ago ; not¬

withstanding their being seven wreeks in transit, he secured a hatch of

twenty-one, and for several years now has had them breeding

throughout the year, even during the severe Siberian winter (this

suggests the birds are acclimatized, no mention is made of artificial

heat), also, he has fixed eight definite colours. He claims that feeding

is as important as mating.


The hatching in the first instance was per media of an incubator.


The professor has had up to four hatches per annum from some

pairs, and clutches of eight are common.


The writer goes on—I have examined many scores of nests of this

species over the past fifteen years and on tv T o occasions only have I

noted even eight eggs, the usual complement being six.



