NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK HOLLISTER 331 



The love bird (Agapomis pullaria) belongs to an African section 

 of the parakeet tribe and is also popular as a cage pet. The park 

 is fortunate in the possession of a splendid specimen of the black- 

 tailed parakeet (Polytelis melanura), a handsome Australian species 

 now very rare. 



Small American species on exhibition include the white-eyed 

 paroquet {Aratinga leucophthahnus) ; a number of species of the 

 genera Brotogeris and Tirica, including the favorite Tovi; Eupsit- 

 tula, including the golden-crowned, Petz's, and Weddell's paroquets, 

 and the peculiar short-tailed parrot (Graydidascalus brachyurus) , 

 a species rare in captivity. One of the most attractive exhibits is a 

 cage containing a number of specimens of the curiously marked and 

 very entertaining caiques (Pionites xanthomeria) from the Rio Beni, 

 Bolivia. These are rarely obtained. 



The Australian region is inhabited by a group of beautiful parrots 

 known as lories, several species of which are usually exhibited. 



One of the most remarkable of all the parrot tribe is the kea, 

 or mountain parrot (Nestor notabilis), confined to the South Island 

 of New Zealand. This bird was formerly abundant in the moun- 

 tainous parts of this region, but owing to its acquired habit of kill- 

 ing sheep has been so reduced in numbers that specimens are now 

 very difficult to obtain. The flock exhibited in an outdoor aviary 

 near the bird house was received as a gift from the New Zealand 

 Government. It was more than 10 years after the kea was first 

 discovered in 1856 before it was suspected that this bird had de- 

 veloped the habit of killing sheep, and there was considerable doubt 

 expressed for a number of years. It has been definitely proven 

 since that although all the individuals of the species have not ac- 

 quired this remarkable change of habit, many of the birds do really 

 kill full-grown sheep. The kea lights on the rump of the sheep, 

 clinging to the wool, and drives his sharp beak into the unfortunate 

 animal's back. The fat, flesh, and intestines of the sheep are eaten 

 by the birds, who frequently go in large flocks. 



KINGFISHERS, HORNBILLS, AND OWLS 



The kingfishers, hornbills, and owls are members of an order of 

 birds (Coraciiformes) which includes other seemingly unrelated 

 families — as the woodpeckers, hummingbirds, goatsuckers, and 

 swifts. It is what Coues calls a " miscellaneous assortment, grouped 

 together more because they differ from other birds in one way or 

 another, than on account of their resemblance to one another." Re- 

 cent anatomical studies have, however, shown the actual relationships 

 in many cases. 



