442 Caxar/rs axd Cage-Birds. 



depends as much on age as on sex, this is not a sure guide. A certain distinguishing maik 

 is that the male bird is black on the inner side of the wings, the female green. 



No Red-headed Love-birds have been bred in captivity as yet, and therefore it does not 

 matter very much whether amateurs obtain a real pair or two birds of the same sex, whicli 

 will agree quite as well as a pair does. Food, canary, millet, Indian corn, and oats. 



ROSY-FACED PARRAKEET {Agapornis roseicoNis), South Africa. 

 Psittacus roscicolUs (Russ), Psittacubis roseicollis. No English de.alers' name. German name — " Rosen-papagei." 



Somewhat larger than the Red-headed Love-bird, with red forehead and rose-coloured 

 throat. This Parrakeet is remarkable for having been bred repeatedly by Dr. Russ, and by at 

 least two other amateurs. The species is so rare that I have never seen any specimens at a 

 dealer's ; as I missed seeing the few arrivals which took place during the last ten years, before 

 the birds were sent abroad. 



MADAGASCAR LOVE-BIRD, OR GREY-HEADED PARRAKEET [Agapornis cana), Madagascar. (Illustrated.) 



Psittacus canus (Russ\ Psittactis polyocar, Polyopsitta cana, Psittacula Madagascarensis, English dealers' name — Grey-headed 



Love-bird Madagascar Love-bird. German name — " Graukopfiger Zwerg-pap.igei. " 



Until about five years ago the Grey-headed Love-birds were rare, but notwithstanding 

 their considerable price these charming little Parrakeets found willing purchasers, and as a 

 consequence they are now imported in large numbers. 



The Madagascar Love-bird is not larger than a Sparrow, of green body-colour, and the male 

 has a pale silver-grey head ; the female is uniformly green. These birds bear a moderately low 

 temperature very well, and breed freely in our climate. They, as well as the Rosy-faced 

 Parrakeet, construct a kind of nest in a curious way, for they will tear wood into strips, and, 

 placing these strips between the feathers of their back, will carry them into the hole selected 

 for a nest. As these bits of wood mostly fall to the ground during their flight or in 

 entering the nest, extraordinary assiduity and patience are shown by the quantity of splinters 

 which a hen Grey-headed Love-bird accumulates in her nest. Although I have not been 

 fortunate enough to breed this Parrakeet successfully, I obtained from, v.irious pairs numerous 

 eggs, and other amateurs have bred them freely. Food, canary-seed and millet. 



PASSERINE PARRAKEET {Psittacula passerina), South America. 

 Psittactis passcrimis (Russ), Psitlaculus passerimis, Agapornis cyanoptenis, Coniirus passerinus, Psittacula Brasiliensis, Uropygio 

 cyaneo, Psittacula passerina gregaria et vwdcsta, English dealers' name— Brazilian Love-bird. German name — 

 " Sperlings-papagei," or " Blaufliigeliger Zwerg-papagei. " 



The Passerine Parrakeet is if anything a trifle smaller than his red-faced and grey- 

 headed relatives from Africa and Madagascar. His plumage is bright green, but underneath 

 the wings, and at the root of the tail, brilliant blue. When newly arrived the Brazilian 

 Love-bird is rather delicate, but with a little care the species becomes quite hardy and a 

 highly-esteemed and pretty cage-bird. Dr. Russ has bred these Parrakeets repeatedly; 

 elsewhere such success has been very rare. Food, like that of the other dwarf Parrakeet.s, 

 millet and canary seed. 



