THE GRASS PARRAKEET. 



411 



soon becomes broader, and envelops the cheek and chin. It does not 

 go quite round the neck, as there is an interval of nearly half an inch 

 on the back of the neck. The quill feathers of both wings and tail 

 are darkish green ; the wings are black beneath, and the tail yellowish. 



One of the very prettiest and most interesting of the Parrot tribe is 

 the Grass or Zebra Parrakeet, deriving its names from its habits 

 and the markings of its plumage. 



It is a native of Australia, and may be found in almost all the cen- 

 tral portions of that land, whence it has been imported in such great 

 numbers as an inhabitant of 

 our aviaries that when Dr. 

 Bennett was last in Eng- 

 land he found that he could 

 purchase the birds at a 

 cheaper rate in England than 

 in New South Wales. This 

 graceful little creature derives 

 its name of Grass Parrakeet 

 from its fondness for the grass- 

 lands, where it may be seen in 

 great numbers, running amid 

 the thick grass-blades, cling- 

 ing to their stems or feeding on 

 their seeds. It is always an 

 inland bird, being very sel- 

 dom seen between the moun- 

 tain-ranges and the coasts. 



The voice of this bird is 

 quite unlike the rough screech- 

 ing sounds in which Parrots 



seem to delight and is a ^^^^ Warbling Grass Parrakeet [Mel- 

 gentle, soft, warbhng kind of opsittacus undulatus). 



song, which seems to be con- 

 tained within the body, and is not poured out with that decision which 

 is usually found in birds that can sing, however small their efforts 

 may be. This song, if it may be so called, belongs only to the male 

 bird, who seems to have an idea that his voice must be very agreeable 

 to his mate, for in light warm w^eather he will warble nearly all day 

 long, and often pushes his beak almost into the ear of his mate, so as 

 to give her the full benefit of his song. 



The food of this Parrakeet consists almost chiefly of seeds, those of 

 the grass-plant being their constant food in their native country. In 

 England they take well to canary-seed, and it is somewhat remarkable 

 that tliey do not pick up food with their feet, but always with their 



