202 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 



in the first instance by the followers of Alexander the 

 Great, is probably a misnomer, as in all likelihood, being so 

 much generally distributed, it was the following species, 

 and not the one under consideration, that was first seen in 

 ancient Greece. However, the name has been bestowed, 

 and there is nothing more to be said about it. 



General colour, grass green. On the sides and back of 

 the neck there is a band of rosy red, followed by one of a 

 black colour, that broadens under the bill into a beard-like 

 patch. On the top of each wing is a large dull red spot 

 which serves to differentiate this bird from all its congeners. 

 The bill is dark purplish red. 



The female is all green, and has no band or ring on the 

 neck. All the young resemble her, but the males are a 

 couple of years, at least, before they assume the marks 

 distinctive of their sex. 



The four white round eggs are deposited in the hollow 

 bough or trunk of a tree, and are hatched in about seven- 

 teen days. The breeding season is in December, and 

 January to March. 



Ring-Necked Parrakeet. — This bird, the green parrot 

 of India, is little more than half the size of the preceding. 

 It is green all over, and the male has a red and black band 

 on the neck, but no moustache. The female lacks the band 

 or ring, and is all green. The bill is dull coral red, and a 

 variety found in Africa has the upper mandible black. 



The ring-necked parrakeet nests in holes of trees, walls, 

 and buildings. The eggs are white, rather round, and 

 always four in number. Like the last, it is readily 

 domesticated, and, when hand-reared from the nest, 

 becomes very tame, and learns to speak more or less 

 distinctly. 



When acclimatised, that is, after having been turned out 

 in May, these birds are quite hardy, and will winter safely 



