Lord Tavistock—Breeding Results for 1937



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too much and until I have had my breakfast I cannot be expected to

control myself.”


Grey Parrots are much more amenable. If a Grey likes you before

his or her marriage, the happy event is not likely to impair friendship.

Even if he doesn’t, he won’t go much out of his way to bite you so long

as you attempt no familiarities and don’t put your fingers too temptingly

within reach.


I started with two pairs of Greys but with little hopes of successful

breeding. One old hen, formerly the pet of the late Canon Dutton,

had laid and incubated several clutches when unmated in past years

but had done nothing for three or four seasons and seemed very averse

to matrimony. She had shared an aviary with a cock since 1935, but

they had lived on terms of armed neutrality varied with occasional

squabbles over food in which the cock latterly proved the victor.

When they first came to me this spring they would sometimes meet and

look at one another in an earnest but critical fashion, uttering self-

conscious Kaffir clicks, and apparently saying, “ I have tried hard to

see something likeable in you but somehow I just can’t I.” However,

perseverance is a great virtue, and Greys, even under the most favour¬

able conditions, rarely if ever fall in love at first sight like Parrakeets

and Cockatoos. As the spring advanced the hen began to take more

interest in her nest than she had done for some time past, and although at

first she was inclined to try and drive the cock away when he too showed

interest in the proceedings she soon came to tolerate him and I saw

them performing what is apparently a courtship action in the species,

the couple first touching beaks and then making a rapid pumping

action with the head, which has nothing to do with regurgitation for

feeding. Eventually they were seen pairing and the hen laid, but

not long afterwards the eggs were all found broken and as the hen

had never destroyed her eggs when alone I concluded that the cock was

the culprit and gave him away—with some regret, as he was a fine

big bird and amiable in disposition. The cock of the other pair is less

good-tempered and will give you a nip if you allow him the opportunity,

although he will accept a peanut from the hand without a breach of

good behaviour. His mate I acquired last autumn. She was sold to

me at a high figure as a prolific layer of eggs and for a time I must admit



