ii7 



green heads, but the larger size and a red patch on each wing 

 serve to distinguish the Alexandrine from the Rose-ringed 

 species. 



In each species of Blossom-headed Paroquet the head of 

 the cock is suffused with a beautiful blue, like the bloom on a 

 plum, while the head of the hen is of a slaty hue. 



All species of Indian Paroquets have the same habits. 

 What is true of any one species applies to all the others. They 

 are social birds and go about in small flocks. The Indian 

 husbandman detests them, and not without cause, for they do a 

 vast amount of damage both to cereal and fruit crops. 



When a flock espies a corn field it forthwith attacks it. 

 Each individual breaks off a head of corn, and, having emptied 

 a couple of ears, throws that head away and breaks off another. 

 So powerful is the beak of these Paroquets that they experience 

 no difficult}' in breaking off and flying away with an orange. 



Green Parrots are exceedingly noisy birds. The most 

 that can be said for their calls is that they are perhaps less 

 harsh, less blatantly offensive than those of most other Parrots. 

 Green Parrots are quite as noisy when on the wing as when 

 climbing about the branches of trees. They fly with extra- 

 ordinary rapidity and very beautiful do they look as they dash 

 through the air, like " live emeralds in the sun." 



All the species nest in holes, either in trees or in some 

 mosque or deserted building. The breeding season begins as 

 early as January. Green Parrots invariably utilise ready-made 

 holes. L,ast year's Woodpeckers' nests are very popular. If a 

 pair of Paroquets have set their heart upon a certain hole which 

 happens to be tenanted by the little palm squirrels, the birds 

 make no bones about evicting the rodents who entertain a well- 

 founded respect for polly's beak. 



As is usual with birds that nest in holes, the eggs of 

 all the Indian Paroquets are pure white, and those of any one 

 species so like those of all other species as to be indistinguishable 

 from them. All species of Green Parrots are very favourite 

 cage birds in India. In that country the professional bird- 

 catcher flourishes as he does nowhere else in the world. In the 



