206 THE SPEAKING PARROTS. 



CHAP. LXXXIV.— THE JAVAN ALEXANDEINE 

 PARRAKEET. 



Psittacus Alexandri, L. 



Javan Parrakeet, Jew Parraheet (Ger., Rothschndheliger Edel- 

 sittich mit rother Brust, Rosenhrilstiger Alexander sittich von 

 Java, bios Alexandersittich von Java, javanischer Edelsittich, 

 bios Alexandersittich (/), Rosenbrustsittich ; Fr., Perruche 

 Alexandre de Java, Perruche a poifrine rose; Dut., Java 

 Alexander Parkiet) — Description — Rareb/ Imported Alive — 

 Interesting as a Cage Bird, 



Three species of these parrots very closely resemble each other, 

 and therefore have received the common name of Rose-breasted 

 Alexandrine Parrakeets. Until lately they were, in Europe, 

 regarded as of little importance to the amateur. They 

 were reported to have little intelligence, and not to be good- 

 tempered ; but later keepers and connoisseurs have given a very 

 favourable account of them. 



The Javan Alexandrine Parrakeet has a black band on 

 the forehead, and black lores ; the top and sides of the 

 head are greyish-green ; a broad black stripe appears on the 

 chin and cheeks, and extends across the middle of the throat ; 

 the nape and hinder part of the neck are grass-green ; the 

 flights grey on the inner web, and ashen grey on the whole 

 of the reverse side ; there is a large oblong spot of olive- 

 yellow on the wing ; the tail is green, with a pale yellow tip ; 

 the two central feathers blue, all on the reverse side a dull 

 yellow ; all the rest of the upper part of the body is of an 

 olive yellowish-green ; from the throat to the centre of the 

 belly dull rose-colour ; the rest of the under part of the body 

 yellowish-green; the beak red; the cere white; the eyes light 

 yellow ; eye cere yellowish-grey ; the feet brownish-grey ; claws 

 blackish. Size, somewhat less than that of the Ring-necked 

 Alexandrine Parrakeet (length, l2Jin. to 13|in. ; wings, 5;^in. 

 to 5|in. ; longest feather in the tail, A^m. to 5|^in. ; outermost 

 feathers of the tail, 2in. to 2|in.). It is a native of Java, 

 Borneo, and probably also of Sumatra and Malacca. 



This bird was one of those of which specimens were collected 

 during Osbeck's journey in 1757, and was first described by 

 Odhel in 1760, and named by Linne. It must therefore be 



