Reference List of Coloured Plates of the Parrots. 151



Unfortunately all but one died, but that one bird (a male) I still

possess in February of this year.


During 1915, after losing his breeding plumage, this little

bird remained in eclipse for two years—that is, for most of 1915

and throughout 1916—although he moulted his feathers. Before

Christmas-time of 1916 a very few blue feathers appeared on his

cheeks, so that I thought he was in for a change, hut there was a lull

of some six or seven weeks, during which period the Wren remained

as before. Then, suddenly, in the end of January a complete moult

began, the blue and black feathers appeared rapidly, the tail, etc.,

was moulted.


It has apparently required time for the bird to adjust itself to the

seasons on the other side of the earth to that on which he had been.

Nature could not change all in a moment; a bird who is a native of

Australia, where spring time is autumn in Europe, and vice versa,

cannot be affected at once in another hemisphere in the donning of

a breeding colouring ; hence this total eclipse for about two years,

after which it would seem that things are once again adjusted

according to the correct seasons. This may not, of course, always be

the case, but it certainly has been so in this one.


It is interesting matter for investigation, and perhaps other

members could write on the subject.



REFERENCE LIST OF COLOURED PLATES

OF THE PARROTS.



By Dr. E. Hopkinson.


(Continued from p. 127.)


Tanygnathus everetti, Everett’s Parrot.


B.M. Cat., xx, pi. 10.


T. burbidgei.


B.M. Cat., xx, pi. 11.


Palceornis eupatria, Cingalese Alexandrine Parrakeet.

N.L., xviii, 92, pi. 2.


P. wardi, Seychelles King-necked Parrakeet.


E. Newton, Ibis (187G), 283, pi. 6.



