243 



about seven inches in length, of a rather dull green, 

 with transverse black bars on the edges of the feathers. 



The Smali^-bii^lkd Parrakeets [Brotogeiys) are 

 the last American group I have to mention, and very 

 charming little birds the}' are, their tame and confiding 

 disposition making them peculiarly suitable for, and 

 happy in, confinement. They are among the smallest of 

 the Parrakeets, measuring from six to ten inches in 

 length. None of them are very common, those most 

 usually imported being the Tovi Parrakeet {B. tovi), the 

 Canary - winged {B. xanthopterus), and the All -green 

 Parrakeet {B. tirica). vStill more rare is the Brotogerys 

 pyrrhopterus. 



The Ring-necked Parrakeets [Palceomis). The 

 range of the Ring-necked Parrakeeets extends over a 

 considerable portion of Africa, Southern Asia, and the 

 East Indian Islands. Every one is familiar with the 

 Lesser Ring-necked Parrakeet {P. lorqtiata) which is so 

 constantl}' brought from India b}' soldiers returning 

 thence. Few Parrakeets are more beautiful than this 

 common species, few surpass it intelligence, docility, 

 and talking powers, and none, I believe, are equal to it 

 in the affection it displays for its owner. Nevertheless, 

 it has one fault, and that is a peculiarly shrill and 

 unpleasant scream, and, unlike other Parrots, which 

 generally leave off screaming when they become tame 

 and learn to talk, the Ring-necked Parrakeet will shriek 

 incessantly as long as its owner is in the room, simpl}' 

 because it wishes to be petted and fed, and, being of an 

 extremely affectionate and jealous disposition, cannot 

 bear to be left unnoticed. However, specimens ca?t be 

 obtained which do not scream much. I had one myself, 

 and can strongly recommend the species to all Parrot 

 lovers in spite of its faults. A yellow variety of the 

 Ring-necked Parrakeet sometimes occurs, but is very 

 rarely seen in this countr}'. 



The Alexandrine Parrakeet {P. eupatria) is not so 

 handsome a bird as its smaller relative, and is even a 



