158 GABDHSN-AND AVIAKY BIRDS. 



Young birds of both sexes are like the hen at first, hav- 

 ing no collar, but their eyes are black, so that they can 

 easily be distinguished from old ones. 



Varieties of this Parakeet are not at all uncommon ; 

 many birds are found splashed with yellow, and now and 

 then a pure yellow one turns up, which, if a male, retains 

 the red collar. Both sexes of the yellow variety have 

 a red bill, but their feet are flesh-coloured, instead of grey 

 like those of the green birds. Their eyes are often pink ; 

 if this is not the case, they are liable to moult out into the 

 ordinary green plumage. A pale yellow-green variety is 

 also found, but seems to be very rare. 



This species is found nearly all over India and Ceylon 

 and extends east to Pegu ; but it usually avoids the hills. 

 It is much the commonest of Indian Parrots, and is far 

 too familiar as a garden- bird, doing a great deal of damage 

 to fruit. It even comes into towns, where its presence is 

 unobjectionable, and gives an added touch of Orientalism 

 to the scene, especially in Bombay where it is very numer- 

 ous ; in Calcutta it is not very common. It breeds from 

 January to May, using holes in buildings as well as those 

 in trees. Many birds are brought into the markets un- 

 fledged, and to secure and rear a few of these is the best 

 way of getting a talker, as birds already instructed are 

 naturally dear and hard to get. Young Parakeets are 

 commonly fed in Calcutta on soaked lentils, and learn to 

 feed remarkably early, especially when it is considered that 

 they naturally do not leave their holes till quite fledged. 



In an aviary these birds do well, and have bred in cap- 

 tivity in England ; it would be worth trying the 



