CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS. 



DWARF PARROTS. 



THESE diminutive members of the Parrot family include several varieties, and 

 inhabit different countries of the globe. They are among the most vivacious and 

 docile of the entire race, and by their pretty tricks, loving ways, and great intelli- 

 gence, are fast winning popular favor. The poets could not have been aware of 

 the strong love that exists between a pair of these beautiful little creatures, or they 

 would surely have selected them as their models of ideal tenderness. 



The Dwarf Parrot measures about seven inches in length. The prevailing color 

 of the body is green, the upper parts being of a beautiful deep shade of that color, 

 and the throat, belly, and under parts, of a yellowish tinge of the same color. The 

 tail is very short and square. The quills of the wings are short, and, when the 

 latter are closed, reach to the end of the tail. 



These Parrots inhabit the forests and groves of South America, and build their 

 nests in the holes of trees, which have been hollowed out by the industry of the 

 Woodpecker. They usually hatch three small, rounded white eggs. The devo- 

 tion shown the female by the male during the period of incubation is very tender 

 and touching. He attends to all her wants, and guards the nest, when not in search 

 of food, with a care rarely seen in any other member of the bird race. The birds 

 in their native haunts travel in troops, and visit the gardens of settlers as flocks of 

 sparrows do in our country. They settle in great numbers upon the trees, and 

 nibble at the fruit, meanwhile keeping up a brisk whistling, which is very confusing 

 when uttered by a myriad of them, but, when heard as given by a single bird, 

 sounding very musical. 



The Dwarf Parrots live in their wild state in the same manner as any variety 

 of the Parrot family. Their beaks enable them to climb readily ; but they are 

 easily approached, and, when captured and confined, seem to forget the loss of- 

 their freedom, especially if they are kept for a short time with their mates. 



Their habits, when caged in pairs, are worthy of study and admiration. A pair 

 will eat together, and share the same bath ; and, if the male bird utters his cry, his 

 mate will instantly join him, and seemingly ask all sorts of questions in her tender 

 solicitude. Should one of a pair fall ill, the other takes the post of a faithful 

 nurse, and tenderly cares for its partner, feeding it, and performing all the duties 

 which sickness render necessary. 



Unlike the Paroquets of all kinds, with which the Dwarf Parrot is often con- 

 founded, the birds of this class will live separately, and thrive as well as when kept 

 paired. The affection which the bird showers on its mate is lavished on its owner 

 when it is kept singly. They never seem wild, even when selected from a newly 



