THE



Bxucultural ®aga3ine t


BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE


AVICULTURAL SOCIETY.



NO. 7.



MAY, 1895.



RARE FOREIGN BIRDS.


VI.


THE PURPLE-CAPPED LORY.


By C. S. Simpson.


The Lories and Lorikeets, though the most beautiful, and, in some

respebts, the most interesting of the Parrots, have never been very popular as

cage-birds in this country. They are generally rather expensive; they have

the reputation of being delicate and short-lived in captivity; and the)^

require more attention in the matters of food, temperature, and cleanliness,

than most aviculturists are able to bestow upon their birds. As a result,

their habits and proper treatment in captivity have been less studied than

those of other parrots, and are still but imperfectly understood.


The Broad-tailed or True Lories require to be treated in some respedts

differently from the Sharp-tailed Lories or Lorikeets : of the former group,

the Purple-capped Lory is the best known species; but it is not very often

kept, and may perhaps be fairly included in the series of “ Rare Foreign

Birds.” This species is also called the Black-bonnet Lory; but it must not be

confounded with the rarer Black-capped or Lady Lory (.Lorius Lori).

Although therefore its cap is rather black than purple, it is better to retain

the name by which it is generally known in this country.


The Lories inhabit the islands of the Eastern Archipelago, and the

Purple-capped species is said to be indigenous to Ceram and Amboyna.

I have never been able to meet with a trustworthy account of their habits in

a state of freedom ; but they are said to feed upon soft fruits, unripe seeds,

the honey from flowers, and insects. The latter, however, they will not eat

in confinement, and I think it is doubtful whether animal food is natural to

them.


The prevailing colour of the Purple-capped Lory is a rich crimson ;

the wings are green, with a golden lustre in certain lights; the pileum or

cap is black, merging behind into purple ; the thighs and the feathers at the

bend of the wing are bright blue ; a band of golden yellow crosses the

breast, this varies considerably in breadth in different specimens; the tail

is dull red, with a terminal band of reddish brown ; the feet and claws are

black; the beak orange; the cere, and a narrow rim of bare skin round the

eye. black; the iris brown. The plumage has a beautiful silky texture, and

the effect of the varied colours in the sunlight is most brilliant. The

colouring of some specimens is much brighter than of others ; but this is

not an indication of sex, as has sometimes been stated.


Individuals of this species vary greatly in temper and disposition.

Most of the birds I have come across have been wild and untameable, and

for a long time I was rather sceptical as to the Purple-cap deserving the

eulogistic description given of its character b)^ Dr. Russ, and other well

known aviculturists. A year ago, however, a Purple-capped Lory came into

1113^ possession, which, though rather bad tempered at first, rapidly became

very tame, and is now one of the most charming birds I have ever had.

She (for the bird is a hen) is rather nervous with strangers, but most



