Foreign Cage Birds (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1877 Excerpt: ...expensive, the dealers themselves not unfrequently paying 20s. each when taking a number of them, and running all those risks which inevitably attach to newly-imported stock. For breeding purposes it is desirable to obtain young specimens, to bestow considerable care upon their diet, and to give them freedom either in a room or an outdoor aviary; the former is preferable, if the place is suitably fitted, as it enables a more intimate acquaintance to be cultivated between the birds and their owner. In this country the Pennant parrakeets usually exhibit a desire to nest about the end of June or the beginning of July, when they become unusually lively, and devote themselves to the exploration of every spot that appears to offer the requisite comfort and security for the reception of eggs, this restlessness being accompanied by a monotonous whistling on the part of the male bird, who appears to exercise a considerable amount of authority in the choice of a house. When, after many changes, a nesting-place is finally selected, it will usually be found near the ground, and not unfrequently a disused Cockatiel's nest upon the floor itself will be taken possession of by the cock Pennant, who, ensconcing-himself in the retreat, calls incessantly to his mate to follow. If these invitations are disregarded, then he will eventually come out and disenss the matter with her, the two chattering together and feeding each other like Budgerigars, until finally Mr. P., by dint of persuasion and sometimes force, compels his mate to make trial of the new abode. For two or three days preceding the laying of the first egg the hen becomes very dull and mopy, sitting at the entrance of the nest and-dozing, her feathers being slightly pnffed; bnt these symptoms must not be mistaken f...