i66 BIRDS 



The Blue-winged or Passerine Parrotlet {Psittacula • 

 passerina), a native of Brazil, is among the smallest of the^ 

 parrot family, not exceeding five inches in length, including 

 the stumpy tail. The male is bright green, with the rump 

 and much of the wing bright blue, the latter color being 

 lacking in the female. Because of the affectionate nature 

 of mated pairs, this bird has come to be known as a love- 

 bird, although it is not closely related to those birds, which 

 occur only in Africa, and have rounded instead of pointed 

 tail feathers. These tiny creatures frequently become very 

 tame, and are not at all difficult to breed, even in a small 

 cage, if a suitable box or husk is provided. The chief food 

 should be canary, millet and oats. 



The Gray-breasted or Quaker Parrakeet (Myopsit- 

 tacus monachus), of southern South America, is the only 

 bird of the parrot tribe which actually constructs its own 

 nest. The true love-birds carry bits of bark and other soft 

 material for lining their chosen cavity, but the Gray- 

 breasted builds itself a huge, strongly constructed domed 

 nest, of stout twigs, carefully interwoven. This bird is 

 about a foot in length and light green in color, with the face 

 and breast soft gray. It is often to be had, and has been 

 bred in this country by at least one aviculturist. 



The Ring-necked Parrakeets and their allies (Pal^or- 

 NiTHiD^) are confined to the Old World. As a group 

 they are not noted for their talking abilities, but the true 

 Ring-necks often are talented speakers, and have a special 

 bent for performing tricks. These birds are freer breeders 

 than conures, and many species have been bred in captivity. 

 Their feeding and general care do not differ from that 

 described for the preceding group. 



The Ring-necked Parrakeets (PalcBornis) include about 

 twenty-five species, their center of distribution lying in 

 southern Asia. The best known species is the Indian 



