244 THE SPEAKING PARROTS. 



Shining Parrakeets are further distinguished by the brilliancy 

 of their plumage. On account of their rarity, as well as their 

 beauty, they command extraordinarily high prices, and are only 

 to be found in the possession of the wealthy or in the larger 

 zoological gardens. 



The Shining Parrakeet is crimson on the crown, back, and 

 sides of the head, and on the sides of the neck ; the back of the- 

 neck is marked with a broad blue band ; the whole of the upper 

 part of the body, the wing coverts, the rump and upper tail 

 coverts dark grass-green ; the primaries blue, the inner web 

 edged with black ; the secondaries blue at the base of the 

 outer web, greenish-blue at the tip, the last green, all have 

 a black edge on the inner web ; quite black on the reverse 

 side ; the under wing coverts marine-blue ; the tail feathers 

 blue, with green edge at the base on the outer web, the 

 two central ones green, with blue tip extending about one- 

 third of their length ; the whole of the under part of the body 

 crimson ; the beak bluish-black, the tip yellowish ; eyes a light 

 orange-red ; feet blackish-brown ; claws black. It is about the 

 size of a crow (length, 16Jin. to 17fin. ; wings, l\\r\. to 9in. ; 

 central feathers of the tail, Z^in. to 8Jin. ; outermost tail 

 feathers, 14fin. to 5^in.). 



It is a native of the Fiji Islands, but only of the little 

 group of Viti, where it is found on some islands. It was 

 discovered by Peale in 1848, and was observed and described 

 by Layard and Griifife. The Shining Parrakeets attract atten- 

 tion in the mangrove forests, not only by their brilliant colours, 

 but, less agreeably, by their loud cries. They live chiefly in 

 the forests. Their flight is heavy. They feed on berries and 

 fruits, as well as seeds, and in some places do much damage to 

 the crops of maize, &;c. While engaged in plundering they keep 

 strict silence, having become shy and cautious owing to the 

 pursuit they are subject to. When danger threatens, one of 

 them utters a warning cry, and the whole body fly rapidly to the 

 wood, to hide in the thick tops of the trees. If molested there 

 they hurry away with loud screams. But if the sportsman 

 affects to pass by, they are easily deceived, and he may get 

 within shot. Layard states that they have been kept in 

 captivity in the Fiji Islands from time immemorial, for the 

 purpose of supplying feathers as ornaments. When taken 

 from the nest (the brood consists usually of three), they 

 become exceedingly tame, and can without difficulty be taught 



