228 Some Colony Birds. 



in form and feather and withal very dignified in mien. He 

 is 'no common dog that makes friends with everybody; but 

 to his master or mistress he reveals a Very intelligent and 

 affectionate disposition, and will go to the length, parrot-wise, 

 of endeavouring to feed the one on whom he bestows his 

 affections, with food brought up from his crop. While one 

 may appreciate the sentiment, one can hardly be expected to 

 accommodate oneself to the mode of its expression. 



This bird would almost answer to the description of 

 the Saurama; but as I have already said, the feathers are 

 trimmer, and the shape of the bird more graceful. The fol- 

 lowing 'points must also be noted : the yellow of the forehead, 

 of a definite, mitre shape, is of a richer hue, and extends to 

 the cere; the beak is red; the purple blue of the wmgs 

 is mor'i prominent; the rectrices or tail feathers have at their 

 base an inner' web of crimson ; and while the bastard wing 

 is light green, there is on the shoulders of the wings a 

 prominent patch of crimson ; the green of the body is lighter 

 and brighter. There is only a narrow circle of bare white 

 skin around the eye. 



I do not know why this species should be called ochro- 

 cephalu (yellow-head) for there is less yellow on the head 

 than on the head of the Screecher. It is one of those many 

 anomalies in scientific nomenclature that shews these names 

 are to be regarded, more or less, as mere labels. 



All these parrots make their nests high in the holes of 

 trees. Generally, a 'partly decayed tree is chosen and the 

 hole whittled out by their powerful beaks. They pair for 

 life; and though' they fly in flocks to the feeding grounds, 

 always maintain their couples. At night or in the morning 

 they may be seen and heard as they return to their roosting 

 place or go forth to feed, flying higih on laboured wing and 

 screeching as they fly; the couples keeping as close together 

 as if linked like chain-shot. If required as pets they should 

 be obtained young. The Indians catch great numbers of 

 these birds by stupefying ithiem with smoke as they roost at 

 night. These never become tame. Again, the bird may be 

 domesticated, but may have incorrigibly bad habits, or he may 



