1 894 



THE PARROT TRIBE 



and the under wing coverts green. In both sexes the general color is green, 

 becoming yellowish beneath; the rump and upper tail coverts being light blue, the 

 forehead bright red, and the sides of the face and throat rose color. This species 

 inhabits Southwestern Africa from Angola to Namaqualand, and is also reported 

 from the opposite side of the continent, in the neighborhood of the Limpopo. The 

 two sexes are almost undistinguishable in this species. 



Andersson writes that these love birds are common in Namaqualand, and are 

 met with in small flocks, never far removed from the vicinity of water. Their 

 flight is rapid, and while on the wing they utter their sharp cry. Their food con- 



sists of berries and large berry-like 

 seeds. Instead of making nests for 

 themselves, they take possession of 

 those of other birds, but Andersson 

 was unable to ascertain whether they 

 did so by dispossessing the rightful 

 owners, or whether they were con- 

 tent with deserted domiciles. The 

 number of eggs is not mentioned. 



From their small size and en- 

 gaging manners the love birds are 

 great favorites in captivity, although 

 they are all more or less delicate. 

 The rosy-faced species is, however, 

 the most hardy, and will readily 



breed in confinement, often producing two broods in the year. That love birds 

 have not always the angelic disposition commonly attributed to them is indicated 

 by the following extract from a correspondent of Mr. Greene's, who writes, that 

 " I have a red-faced love bird, to which it would puzzle you to apply the epithet 

 'amiable,' for a more surly, ill-tempered little glutton never existed. She quar- 

 rels with her husband, whom she drives about, compels to feed her with partly- 

 digested food from his craw, and then thrashes if he does not sit closely enough to 

 her, or if he dares to move before she is ready. In fact, a more hen-pecked wretch 



A GROUP OF HANGING PARROTS. 



