22



The Black-throated Lorikeet.



Guillemard |_. Zoological Society's Proceedings, 1885, p. 623] who

came across this bird during the voyage of the Marchesa, notes

that it is “common at Dobbo especially,” that it differs from

cyanogrammus in the greater length of the tail and wing, and is

subject to considerable variation, “the abdomen being green in

some, in others bluish-black.”


My birds arrived in fine condition, and, after they had

settled down in the large flight cage I had provided for them,

became the most charming pets. The cock bird delighted in

hopping upon my hand and carefully licking the tips of my

fingers with his brush-tipped tongue. His less venturesome

mate displayed the greatest excitement during these proceedings,

whether from jealousy or fear I was never able to determine, and

he would constantly fly to her side and reassure her of his safety

and devotion with many caresses and discordant cries.


A log nesting-box placed in their cage was a source of

unending interest to them,-but though the hen slept in it regu¬

larly, no eggs were ever laid. Their habits in captivity generally

resembled those of a pair of Swainson’s Lorikeets inhabiting an

adjoining cage. They performed in a rather exaggerated degree,

the same amusing antics, acrobatic feats and quaint dances, but

were less noisy and of a more gentle disposition.


The end of these brilliant, playful creatures was as sudden

as it was tragic. I11 death they'’ were not divided. About a y r ear

after their arrival they both died on the same day during my

absence from home. They had always been in excellent health,

and I have good reasons for supposing that their end was due,

not to any inherent weakness, but to some carelessness in the

preparation of the milk-sop which formed their staple food. In

my specimens, which proved on dissection to be a pair, the

breast-feathers of the female were rather deeper in colour, and

the dark bands on their edges were less narrow than in the case

of the male. It is to be hoped that these very desirable birds

may become more common in this country.



