33 



AVES ORDER PSITTACIFORMES. 



another can be shot down without the survivors attempting to fly away. It 

 may be imagined how soundly they sleep when the noise of the shot does not 

 disturb them ; and it is the same with Nasiterna. At other times of the day 

 it is difficult to procure, as it lives in the high trees, where its small size and 

 green plumage form a sufficient protection. 5 ' 



Space does not permit of a full discussion of the habits and ways of all the 

 Parrots, which are, after all, very similar ; but, as the Grey Parrot is a typical 



representative of the family Psittacidce, I 

 give a few extracts from the account 

 published by Mr. J. G. Keulemans, who 

 studied the habits of the species in Prince's 

 Island, in the Bight of Benin. In this 

 West African island the Grey Parrot is 

 very common, and does a great deal of 

 mischief to the maize fields. The birds 

 resort in great numbers to certain parts 

 of the forest to roost. Although he 

 ultimately discovered the nesting-place of 

 the Parrots, it was not easy to find the 

 actual nests, though the cries of the birds 

 convinced him that hundreds were con- 

 cealed in the dense foliage around him. 

 His servant at last found a nest, but as 

 darkness was coming on fast, the tree 

 was marked for operations on the following 

 morning. "While thus occupied/' says 

 Mr. Keulemans, "troops of Parrots 

 approached from different sides and settled 

 among the trees. As for ourselves, we found capital shelter under a clump 

 of bushes, where we concealed ourselves, and thence we observed the doings 

 of the Parrots around us. Some were climbing and hanging on branches, 

 others flying and scampering through the foliage. We saw them perching 

 close to each other, and afterwards five or six settled just above our shelter. 

 Numbers came from all sides, and the chattering which we had previously 

 heard at the distance was by this time close to us. There was a noise of 

 whistling, screaming, quarrelling, and the breaking of dead branches. We 

 saw them pass before us and settle on the trees. At this time we must have 

 been surrounded by hundreds of Parrots. Being now almost dark, and having 

 to pass the night in the open air, it was time to take steps to make our 

 sojourn in the forest as comfortable as possible. A fire being the first 

 necessity, we left our shelter in order to gather some of the dead palm-leaves 

 that lay about. As we emerged from our covert the Parrots perceived us, 

 and in a moment the whole place was ringing with their deafening screams. 

 The fire was soon made, and, burning up quickly, it cast a cheerful light and 

 warmth around the spot, rendering our bivouac more agreeable ; and the 

 Parrots, attracted by the unusual sight, kept flying over and around the place 

 thus illuminated. An hour afterwards, quiet being restored, we proceeded 

 to get our supper, consisting of roasted bananas. This being finished, 

 we dried some moss to serve for a bed, and retired ; but the night was so 

 cold, and the mosquitos kept stinging my face so pertinaciously, that it was 

 impossible to sleep, so I got up and roasted some more bananas, smoked a 

 pipe, and then felt quite ready to go in pursuit of the birds. As it wanted 



Fig. 67. THIS GRBY PARROT 

 (Puittacus erithacus). 



