37


they are not quite so confusing as the different species of

Zosterops.


It was a splendid Show, and its splendour was entirely

due to two exhibitors (Mr. Fulljames and Mr. Maxwell) who

sent about 45 entries each in the Foreign Classes, and one or

the other of whom was the owner of almost every rare and

interesting: exhibit in those Classes.



CORRESPONDENCE.



THE QUAKER PARRAKEET.


Sir, — I shall be very grateful for information in answer to the follow-,

iug queries :—


Is the Quaker Parrakeet known by any other name ? The Colour ?

Size ? And locality ?


I have had the offer of one, but having never had the " Quaker

Parrakeet," I am quite in the dark,


M. Husband,



The folloimjig reply was sent to Miss Husband :


The Grey-breasted Parrakeet (Myopsittacus jnonachusj is very common-

ly known as the Quaker Parrakeet. It conies from Argentina, Bolivia,

Paraguay, and Uruguay, is a common bird, and is usually obtainable for

a few shillings.


Speaking generally, the upper parts are green, wings mostly blue,

while the upper parts of the head, the cheeks, throat, and breast, are grey ;

and the under parts are yellowish-green.


Notwithstanding their plain colour, I have seen real beauties ; but

too often they are nothing to look at. They are naturally very sociable;

and, when made pets of, especially if there be only one, they will usually

lavish their love of companionship upon their owners. They are hardy,

and may be taught to talk a little ; but they bear a bad character for

screaming, especially when kept in a cage, and are not general favourites.


To aviculturists, however, they are intensely interesting from the

circumstance that, unlike any other known member of the Parrot order,

they build nests, not of strips of bark, in holes, like the Lovebirds (see our

Magazine, Vol. II, pp, 49 and 128), but of sticks at the top of tall trees..

They have not infrequently built nests in captivity.


Including the tail, the Quaker Parrakeet is about iij inches long— •

roughly speaking, of the size of a Turtle Dove.


ReginaIvD Phii<i,ipps.



JAVA SPARROWS.


SlR,^It may be of interest to state that a young Grey Java Sparrow

flew, on November 6th, in my garden aviary. This speaks well for the

hardiness of the species, for the last days of October were very sharp, with

east winds and dense fogs lasting mostly all day, and up to the present we



