440 Mr. F. Finn on the 



and C. 7'oseicapilla, which come in large numbers and are sold 

 for a few rupees only. C. f/aler'ita is also common, C, alba 

 much less so, and C. leadbeateri rather rare. The great 

 C. mo/uccensis is always on sale, though not imported in any 

 very great quantity at one time, each bird being anchored in 

 the manner above described to an L- shaped perch of wood, 

 and so kept unless transferred to a swing. I have par- 

 ticularly noticed the great tameness and intelligence of these 

 birds. All of them are eager for notice, and they will fre- 

 quently invite me to scratch their heads by beginning to 

 ruffle their feathers with one foot — in fact, will make a sign 

 of their wishes. The only other species I have ever seen do 

 this was a Red Macaw lately in Mr. Kutledge^'s possession ; 

 but the action is so universal with these Cockatoos that it 

 may fairly be put down as a characteristic piece of intelli- 

 gence, though their tameness is, no doubt, due to their being 

 hand-reared. 



The Cockateel {Calopsittacus novce-hollandue) is often 

 imported and generally to be bought ; it has bred in the Zoo- 

 logical Garden here. I have noticed that this bird's plumage 

 is remarkably impervious to wet ; water poured on it glides 

 off as from a Duck's back. 



Family Psittacidte. 



The cage-bird of India par excellence, and one of the 

 longest- and best-known anywhere, is of course the familiar 

 Ring-Parrakeet [Palceornis torquatus), which is popular both 

 with natives and Europeans, and may be met with, chained 

 or caged, in almost every street. Hundreds of fledged and 

 unfledged young, and of wild-caught adults of both sexes, 

 come into the hands of the dealers. Many of the latter are 

 more or less heavily splashed with yellow ; while perfect lutinos 

 are far from rare and are extremely beautiful birds. The 

 males in these cases retain the pink neck-ring, and the bill is 

 always red. Such birds fetch very high prices — about eighty 

 rupees — and consequently seldom reach Europe, though some 

 have been exhibited in the London Parrot-house. No attempt 

 has, however, been made to breed the variety in captivity. 



