THE AUSTRALIAN PAROQUET. 85 



THE AUSTRALIAN PAROQUET, a very beautiful and 

 eccentric bird, has but recently been introduced into 

 this country; yet he possesses so many desirable 

 qualifications that he has at once become a well- 

 known member of the " bird family." This bird is 

 a native of the island from whence the name is 

 derived ; and in a wild state leads a retired and 

 sequestered life, sometimes alone, and again in 

 pairs. During mating season they are found in 

 pairs, and in immense numbers, the male and female 

 each singing to the other incessantly. As they are 

 inhabitants of the ground, where they build their 

 nests, they are rarely found in trees. Their plumage 

 is a beautiful shade of green, with a few brownish or 

 black feathers upon the back, and the feathers of 

 the head a bright lemon color ; which, added to the 

 bright blue spots around the head and neck, make 

 them a beautiful and attractive bird. They easily 

 become domesticated to cage-life, and are capable 

 of being taught many amusing tricks. They are 

 hardy birds, and easily endure the cold winters of 

 the north, the author once having placed a pair 

 where water froze to the depth of an inch, and this, 

 too, without any perceptible injury to the birds. 

 They should be fed wholly upon canary-seed, and 

 allowed frequent baths. With this treatment they 

 will continue in perfect health for many years. 



