HANGING PARROTS. 



131 



Sulu Islands {Loriculus bonapartei) as looking like a little glowing ball of 

 vivid crimson, yellow, and green. The blue-crowned species (L. galgulus), here 

 figured, is an inhabitant of the Malay Peninsula and Islands, and measures just 



BLUE-CROWNED HANGING PARROTS ASLEEP (§ nat. size). 



over 5 inches in total length. In the male the general colour is green, with a 

 deep blue spot on the top of the head, another of yellow on the interscapular 

 region, a broad band of yellow across the lower part of the back, the rump and 

 upper tail-coverts scarlet, and a patch of the same colour on the throat. The 

 female is duller. 



As might be inferred from the conformation of their beaks, all the hanging 

 parrots are flower-suckers, subsisting largely on honey, although they also. eat 

 flower-buds and young shoots. The Indian species (L. vernalis) is usually found 

 in open spaces in the forests, where it associates in small flocks. When feeding, it 

 keeps up a continual chirping cry ; and it is said, like the fruit-bats, to be at times 

 taken in a stupefied condition, lying beneath the pots suspended to catch palm- 

 juice. They appear to pass a large portion of their time in sleep ; but when awake 

 exhibit marvellous activity in climbing. From the nature of their food, these 

 little parrots are not well adapted for captivity, although they can be kept on a 

 diet of rice boiled in milk and well sweetened, with the addition of fruit and 



