194 BIRDS OF THE PLAINS 



and all have been in existing hollows. Green parrots 

 frequently evict the squirrels which tenant a cavity in a 

 tree and use it for nesting purposes. 



They sometimes nest in holes in buildings. There is 

 in Lahore an old half-ruined gateway, known as the 

 Chauburgi* In this dozens of green parrots nest 

 simultaneously. 



The rose-ringed paroquet (Palceornis torquatus] seems 

 usually to nest in trees, while the larger Alexandrine 

 paroquet (Palceornis nepalensis) nests by preference in 

 holes in buildings. 



The nest hole is not lined. 



Four white eggs are usually laid. Both parents take 

 turns at incubation. 



Parrots are birds which thrive remarkably well in 

 captivity. This, I fear, is a doubtful blessing, for it 

 leads to a vast number of the birds being taken prisoner. 

 Many of those which are kept by natives, and even 

 some kept by Europeans, are, I am afraid, cruelly 

 treated. It is true that the cruelty is in many cases 

 unintentional, but this does not afford the poor captive 

 much consolation. 



Parrot-catching is a profitable occupation in India ; 

 since nestlings fetch from four to eight annas each. 

 Thousands of young birds are dragged out of their 

 nurseries every year and sold in the bazaars. 



Nor are the young birds immune from capture after 

 they have left the nest. They roost for a few nights in 

 company before dispersing themselves over the face of 

 the country. The wily bird-catcher marks down one of 

 these nesting spots he has possibly had to pay rent for 



