THE THICK-BILLED PARRAKEETS. 225 



It is a native of South America, extending over the western, 

 southern, and central parts, and one species occurs even in 

 the north. All are found at considerable elevation, and some 

 of them are said to be exclusively natives of the mountains. 



Their food appears to consist chiefly of seeds, and but little 

 or no fruit. Experiments in the breeding of one of the Thick- 

 billed Parrakeets have shown that in freedom as well as in 

 captivity this parrot, in contradistinction to all others, builds its 

 nest in open spaces. In their native country several species of 

 these parrakeets are highly esteemed as cage birds. In food — 

 that is, their diet in captivity — the Bolborrhynchi have the same 

 tastes as the Conures. 



CHAP. XOV.— THE GREY-BREASTED OR QUAKER 

 PARRAKEET. 



Psittacus monachus, Bdd. 



Grey-hreasted or Quaker ParraJceet (Ger., MdnchssittlcJi, Qudher- 

 sittich, Mdusesittich, Monchspapagei, Quaker, junge Witiue, 

 graukopjiger DickschnahelsittiGh ; Fr., Perruohe moine, Perruche 

 souris ; Dut., Mouniks Dickhekparkiet of Muisparkief) — De- 

 scription — Habitat — Character as a Cage Bird — Breeding in 

 Captivity. 



Like the Carolina Conure, the Quaker Parrakeet wins admirers 

 at sight ; though its plumage is not so variegated and striking as 

 that of the before-mentioned Conure, being much plainer, in soft 

 colourings, yet it is uncommonly pleasing ; indeed, its whole 

 appearance is so pretty that the discoverer, Azara, who observed 

 it in its native country, gave it the name of '' the young widow." 

 But the amateur who may be misled by this into buying a 

 couple of these thick-billed Parrakeets will soon regret the step, 

 for their continuous screaming, which cannot by any means be 

 silenced, is unbearable, and scarcely to be endured even by the 

 strongest nerves. 



The Grey-breasted Parrakeet is of a light grey on the fore- 

 head, front of the head, lores, cheeks, throat, front of the 

 neck, and breast, each feather having a narrow pale-grey tip, 



Q 



