Correspondence.



185



under notice the great inconvenience and annoyance that are caused by the

use of obsolete names, both English and scientific. So loosely are names

now used that it is sometimes difficult, sometimes impossible , to know what

species is referred to.


I11 the early days of the Avicultural Society, it was resolved that the

scientific names given in the British Museum Catalogue of Birds should be

used by r us as far as practicable. I have myself kept to this rule, but it has

very generally been ignored by the other members, I regret to say.


I am not without hopes, however, that steps we are now endeavouring

to arrange may lead to an improvement, not only as regards the use of

scientific, but also as regards the so-called “trivial ” names of birds.


A name ceases to be of practical use when no definite subject is

connected with it. It is simply an “ uncertain sound.” — R. P.]



THE ALL-GREEN PARROT.


Sir, —I have been asked to send a few notes to the Magazine on the

All-Green Parrot, Chrysotis agilis, which I have had some time. This bird

(sex unknown) is of a lovely emerald green on head, back, and wings;

breast, a vivid grass green, and much lighter. The wings underneath are

dark blue shaded to green, and four short red feathers lie on the blue, but

are not seen unless the wings are open. At present the wing feathers are

very rough and ragged, having been cut before it came to this country.


The bird was brought from Jamaica by Mrs. Leslie Williams, and,

apparently, must have been in its first plumage, as it has grown since I had

it. It is about the size of a Pigeon, and weighs ten ounces. The beak is

grayish ; eyes, dark brown ; and there is, on each side of the head near

the eyes, a small patch of brown feathers; legs and feet, gray.


The bird is very tame, and lets one handle it freely, and is of a very

jealous disposition, and cannot bear to see any other bird noticed. It was

great friends with my dear old favourite “ Sweetie,” the Blue Mountain

Lorikeet, and for some time lived in the same cage ; but one day there was

a serious quarrel, and the apparently happy couple had to be separated, and

never again would either enter the other’s cage. M. Hamilton.



GREY PARROTS.


Sir,—I t may interest members to hear that, whilst visiting at a farm

house in Anglesey, I saw three Grey Parrots which had one wing clipped,

otherwise they were allowed perfect freedom. The owner informed me

that they had been out for some mouths, that they all roosted in a wooden

box which was put out for them, and that they were let out every day, no

matter what the weather was like. The day 011 which I saw them was



