Piper, a pied (what else) cockatiel, was hatched in March of 1999, and came to live with the Robinson-Tomblin-Pollanens in May. He came from Birds Unlimited, in Penfield, New York, and was quite insistent upon coming home with us without delay. He settled in immediately, scarfing down millet and surveying the area brightly for shiny things and impressionable people. He found both.

Luna, a lutino hen, came to live with us as a young-'un in September, 1999, also from Birds Unlimited. She immediately informed Piper of who was boss, and he was so enamoured of her that he agreed. He's rethought that decision, and spends a lot of time singing at her, playing Vampire Stalking Bird, and trying to nip her toes. She ignores him, mostly, because she has serious business to attend to. And that would be eating. She will eat anything, and does. Greens? Loves 'em. Oatmeal? Yum! Eggs? Sunny-side up, please. Rice? Peas? Pasta? Beans? Sprouts? Bring 'em on! Luna has the soul of a shark. Piper, who wouldn't touch anything but seeds before, has become much more of an omnivore, thanks to Luna; he has to assert himself by making her stop eating whatever she's got, and eating it himself. As they always have two treat cups at a time, she just calmly goes to the second one and eats there, until he notices and comes over to lecture her on how that's his food too. So she obligingly heads back to the first one. It works.