AND OTHER BIRDS 139 



to a particular loop made by the contraction of 

 their rings. 



On dark afternoons she would turn in as early 

 as three o'clock, and her preparations for the 

 night usually took some considerable time. I 

 could see the drapery shake, and hear her stir 

 ^nd fidget in the effort to discover the most com- 

 fortable position, but, once settled, my recollec- 

 tions are that she was perfectly quiet. Always 

 during these proceedings, our habit was at 

 intervals to exchange greetings, and it was 

 <;urious to notice the little voice getting more 

 and more sleepy, until at last it was only by an 

 effort she replied. 



Often by me this prolongation of our talk was 

 done to tease, but her replies were suave and 

 similar in tone, to the last, only more and more 

 short. When visited late at night, she would 

 very gravely oi)en her mouth, and without 

 moving, gaze at me. She then preferred not to 

 talk — she may not have thought it proper — but 

 would, if persistently addressed, briefly and 

 sleepily reply, perhaps as the easiest way of 

 ridding herself of me. At first I had thought 

 this habit of early roosting must be unusual, but 

 after several times thoroughly awakening the 

 bird and causing her to fly, I found she at once 

 returned to her curtain loop. 



She too disappeared with a change from 

 fine to wild weather. Perhaps some instinct bade 

 these Parrakeets change quarters before the 

 approaching storm. In no way at any rate were 

 the birds becoming wilder or more shy of us. 

 They either lost themselves, or were killed when 

 roosting, by the little Owls. I have always 

 •supported the latter theory — they couldn't have 

 "wanted to leave Tutira. 



