288 A. Allen—An Experiment with Grass Parrakeets


bread and milk was patronized by the Turquoisines. Of course, the

normal seed diet consisting of millet, canary, hemp, oats, and sun¬

flower was available, and a liberal supply of spray millet.


A few days before the young were expected to leave the nests,

tbe aviaries were systematically furnished with branches, and in due

course five Splendids and six Turquoisines made their debut.


Just prior to the launching of both broods, the hens, who had

previously shown signs of wanting to nest again, were given similar

nest-boxes, which were installed near the former sites. They were

tenanted without delay.


Our next step was to ascertain when the young were independent

feeders. Here we had a surprise, for it appeared that when they found

food, they recognized it as such, and tackled it almost from the day of

leaving the nest. This observation was confirmed in the case of the

second broods. Nevertheless, a short period was allowed to elapse

to make sure that the young were independent. They were then

transferred to the third aviary, which in the meantime had been

furnished with branches and feeding arrangements in a similar fashion

to the aviary from which they were removed.


Now we were all set for the second round, which, as far as manage¬

ment and results were concerned, was a repetition of the first, except

that on this occasion all eggs were fertile, and we bred eight more

Splendids and five Turquoisines.


Meanwhile, the first broods had been shown to expert visitors, and

Mr. Boosey of Keston, whose work with Grass Parrakeets makes his

opinion an extremely valuable one, pronounced them as very

satisfactory.


In summing up the lessons from this experiment, I would like

to emphasize the point, that the aim of Lord Tavistock was to try

to arrive at a type of aviary and aviary management so suitable

that all who would like to keep Grass Parrakeets might be able to

follow really successful methods.


As far as the Barrington House aviaries are concerned, we have

found certain minor details capable of improvement. The changes

when made should facilitate routine work, and we hope that eventually

we shall assist in evolving an aviary which really is perfect for Grass



