* * *
Parrakeets have a great fondness for the grass lands, where they may be
seen in great numbers, running amid the thick grass blades, clinging to
their stems, or feeding on their seeds.
Grass seed is their constant food in their native country. In captivity
they take well to canary seed, and what is remarkable, never pick food
with their feet, as do other species of parrots, but always use their
beaks. "They do not build a nest, but must be given a piece of wood
with a rough hole in the middle, which they will fill to their liking,
rejecting all soft lining of wool or cotton that you may furnish them."
Only the male sings, warbling nearly all day long, pushing his beak at
times into his mate's ear as though to give her the full benefit of his
song. The lady, however, does not seem to appreciate his efforts, but
generally pecks him sharply in return.
A gentleman who brought a Parrakeet from Australia to England, says
it suffered greatly from the cold and change of climate and was kept
alive by a kind-hearted weather-beaten sailor, who kept it warm and
comfortable in his bosom. It was not kept in a cage, but roamed at will
about the room, enjoying greatly at times, a ride on the cat's back. At
meals he perched upon his master's shoulder, picking the bits he liked
from a plate set before him. If the weather was cold or chilly, he would
pull himself up by his master's whiskers and warm his feet by standing
on his bald head. He always announced his master's coming by a shrill
call, and no matter what the hour of night, never failed to utter a note
of welcome, although apparently asleep with his head tucked under his
wing.
[Illustration: AUSTRALIAN GRASS PARRAKEET.]
[Illustration: COCK-OF-THE-ROCK.]