BUDGERIGARS AS PETS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 25, 22 October 1937, Page 12

BUDGERIGARS AS PETS

A Delightful Companion SOME ADVICE TO OWNERS Although the budgerigar, which still retains its native Australian name, has been bred in captivity for a century, and inay now be regarded as a lawful domestic pet by the most scrupulous observer of bird rights, it is only withiu the last twenty years that it has become so popular as to threaten the position of the canary as chief favourite. The Jittle "budgie, " which is so often confused with the love bird of Abyssinia, though it belongs to quite a different family, we owe to Australia, where it used to flourish among the grasses, feeding upon their seeds, and was distinguislied by the natives as "the good parakeet." The budgerigar in its wild state is mainly green, with dark stripes on neck, back and wing, laced with bright yellow, and a long, slender tail of dark blue. On each cheek there is a blue patch with dots of the same colour round the neck. Clever and careful breeding over many years has, however, produced seven or eight wellrecognised varieties known by their distinguishing colour. The sexes are distinguishable by the small band over the base of th« bill, which in males is dark blue, while in females it varies from a light buff to a fawn colour. Health and Breeding. When choosing a "budgie" as a pet the colour should be a secondary consideration. The things that matter are . health and breeding. Is it lively, vivacious, chattoring, with bright, keen oyes? Has it been brought up in proper surroundings, with plenty of roorn to exercise its limbs, clean quarters free from red-mito vermin, with bright but not dazzling aspect, clean and suitable food? This charming bird receives much admiration, but far too oftcu it does not get tlie oaro and treatment it deserves, nor even the conditions necessary for its health. How often may it be seen in an all-wire cage, where it has no possibility of sh^ltering from draughts; left to pick up its food from a floor foul with droppiiigs; and given 110 room to streteh its wings and fly. Now, while the "budgie" is a har.dy little fellow, no bird should be confined in a draught; its cage, therefore, should have only one side of wire, the others being close-boarded. .Nor should it be left in the full glare of sunlight or lamplight; either its own cage, or, better, a verandah, must provide shade, and at night its cage should have a light eurtain over it. And, since it is naturally a very lively bird, its cage should be large and provided with swing, and, if only one bird is kopt, a small mirror also, so that it can rub nQses witli and talk to its imaginary cQmpamon Taught To Talk. Ilow often 3o we see the advertisoment: "Lost — a budgerigar." Tliis is m? doubt the result of giving the pet | a epell of freedom when it can us« it» winga freoly. This should be j

daily, but be careful to see that doors and windows, and even chimneys, are w£ll closed. ' Still, lost "budgies" might often be reclaimed if they wore taught their name and address, though to teach them to talk certain conditions are necessary: the Jessons must be private, w*ith no other "budgie" about; not more than one phrase at a time ropeated over and over and ov^r — -greater patienco thkn the average person possesses. But, given these ponr ditions, and a healthy, well-bred bird, it is astonishing what a repertoire it will acquire. We have known one that would patter bewitchingly for five, minutes on end: My name is Joey Williams; I live at RockJeigh, Mount Batten Eoad. I'm mother's pretty pet; mother's wee pet; pretty Cocky. Cocky wants a cup of tea. Mary had a little lamb; its fleece was white as snow," etc., etc. The golden rule with the "budgie," as with all pets, is: "Keep him happy." To do this, while proper food and proper quartefs are essential, they are not enough. Make him your companion; show an interest in his ways; talk to him; oflPer him tit-bits from your hand. Happiness is the best tonic and, like mercy, it is twice blessed — "It blesseth him that gives and him that takes."