Bat-Parrots 475 



though the forehead and eyebrows are red, the face and neck rosy, the rump 

 and upper tail-coverts azure-blue, and the tail scarlet, tipped with green, in 

 addition to the subterminal black band; the female is similar to the male. Of 

 their habits as observed in Damara and Great Namaqua Land, Mr. Andersson 

 writes as follows: "It is always observed in small flocks, and seldom far from 

 water, to which it resorts at least once in a day. This species is very swift of 

 flight, and the little flocks in which it is observed seem to flash upon the sight 

 as they change their feeding grounds or pass to or from their watering places; 

 their flight, however, is only for a comparatively short distance at a time. They 

 utter rapid and shrill notes when on the wing, or when suddenly disturbed or 

 alarmed. Their food consists of berries or large berry-like seeds. This bird 

 does not make any nest of its own, but takes possession of nests belonging to other 

 birds, though I cannot say whether it forcibly ejects the rightful owners of these 

 nests, or merely occupies such as they have abandoned ; but I have seen the Par- 

 rots and the Grosbeaks incubating in about equal numbers under the shelter of 

 the same family roof." The eggs are pure white. 



Bat-Parrots. Perhaps closest of kin to the last, and forming the final mem- 

 bers of this great group, are the curious little Hanging or Bat Parrots, or Lori- 

 keets (Loriculus), the couple of dozen species of which range from India and 

 the Philippine Islands through the Malay Archipelago as far east as the Duke of 

 York Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. They are quaint, pretty little birds, 

 all under six and a half inches in length,- or much smaller though of course much 

 more bulky than many Hummingbirds, which seems quite anomalous for a Par- 

 rot. Structurally they are distinguished from all other members of the group 

 by the bill, which is thin and longer than deep, the upper mandible especially 

 being long and very little curved. They are brilliant in plumage, the prevailing 

 color being green, relieved often by dashes of scarlet, blue, and yellow, and in 

 all the under surface of the wings and tail is verditer-blue. They take their 

 name of Hanging Parrots from their habit of suspending themselves by the feet 

 from a branch, in which position they habitually sjeep, and even during the day, 

 when several may sometimes be seen in this position side by side, caressing and 

 feeding each other. As the shape of the bill indicates, these Parrots are largely 

 flower-suckers, subsisting on honey and plant juices, but also buds and tender 

 shoots. The Indian Lorikeet (L. vernalis) is green, this being paler beneath 

 and brighter on the head, with a tinge of orange between the shoulders, while 

 the rump and upper tail-coverts are red, the throat bluish, and the upper breast 

 tinged with yellowish. The bill is dull coral-red, the cere red, and the legs pale 

 orange ; the total length is five and a half inches. The female is similar but 

 less brilliant green, with more of a yellowish tinge, and lacks the bluish on the 

 throat. They are found chiefly in clearings amongst forest trees, and in gardens 

 and groves of fruit trees, feeding on fruit and flower buds, and are said to be 

 specially fond of the juice of the cocoanut palm. It is frequently kept as a cage 

 bird, but is rather hard to care for properly on account of the difficulty of secur- 

 ing food. This species nests in holes in trees, laying from three to five eggs. 



The Broad-tailed Parrots. The final group of this subfamily comprises 



