45



THE GOLDEN-CROWNED PARRAKEET OF

NEW ZEALAND.


( Cya7iorJiamphus auriceps).

By G. E. BousKii,!,.


Of all the Parrakeets I have kept, the subject of the

present notice stands highest in my estimation.


Its amiable disposition, its lively and active habits, and

its not unmusical voice, together with its soft colours, would

attract all lovers of the Parrakeet family. In size, the Golden-

crown compares favourably with the Turquoisine, but is much

stouter in build ; the beak is ver}' long and sharp, and of a

bluish-slate colour with a black tip, and the lower mandible

dark brown. A band of bright crimson surrounds the upper

mandible, which extends to the eye. From the band of crimson

to the crown of the head is a patch of golden yellow; the iris

is a brilliant crimson ; the back and the wings are of a dark

bluish-green colour, and the front edges of the latter are a

bright blue ; the tail is dark bluish-green ; all the under parts

are of a yellowish-green colour. On the body under each wing

is a patch of bright red. The legs are long and grey ; the claws

long and black. There appears to be no difference in the sexes,

except that the female is about a third smaller than her mate ;

at least, such is the difference in size between the one female

and the male birds which I possess.


The habits of my Golden-crowned Parrakeets are very

interesting. They are remarkably tame, and, although so

recently imported, will come quite close to me while feeding.

When first introduced into my aviary, hardly two months ago,

they made themselves at home and behaved as if they had

been there all their lives. The long legs of this bird enable it

to run and hop with great freedom, and it has the peculiar

habit of scratching on the ground, after the manner of our

common poultry. It is never tired of either running, hopping,

or flying about and uttering its song (if such it can be called),

and at such times it will stretch itself out with a forward

motion, and then it is that the Golden-crown really looks at its

best: for while it is singing, the dilating of the eye goes on

and the iris becomes like a ball of fire. They are particularly

fond of their bath — they quite drench themselves through, and

then fly to the nearest branch to dry. Although their beaks are

so long and sharp, yet they are very gentle. My Turquoisines



