THE PARRAKEET. 



163 



There is a beautiful parrakeet, called the ringed parrakeet, that is often 

 seen in a cage in England, and is a pet bird greatly admired. It has very- 

 slender feet, and can run along the ground — a habit peculiar to the parrakeets, 

 and one of the reasons why they differ from the parrots. 



In the Spice Islands there is a small green parrakeet that is much sought 





THE DAri'LKlJ LORIKKET. 





after by the native. He does not care for it as a pet, but as an article of 

 food. The parrakccts have most dainty fare, for they live on the berry-like 

 fruit of the spices, and their flesh has a very delicate flavour. When they are 

 fat and in their best condition, the hunter takes a walk into the grove on 

 purpose to shoot them. 



The ereen bower in which the birds are sitting is so Uke the colour of 



K 2 



