142



Correspondence , Notes , etc.



THE LITTLE LORIKEET.


Sir, — I enclose a rongli water-colour drawing of a Parrakeet. I wish

you would be good enough to identify it for me. Is it the Little Lorikeet,

Glossopsittacus pusillus ?


The specimens I have were obtained at Goombargana, N.S.W. The

birds were always in immense flocks feeding on the honey from the

blossoms of the Eucalypti , generally so high up as to be out of range of

my collecting gun, and were therefore somewhat difficult to obtain.


Norman B. Roberts.



The following reply was sent to Mr. Norman Roberts :


The Parrakeet is the one you suggest—the Little Lorikeet, Glossopsit¬

tacus pusillus. Although a common enough species in New South Wales,

South Australia, and Tasmania, I am not aware of any living specimens

having been brought to this country. There is no doubt whatever that it

would be :io more difficult to keep in health than the Varied Lorikeet

(.Ptilosclera versicolor ) which has now been proved to do well in captivity on

a diet of sweetened sop, or hone)’, and fruit.


The Little Lorikeet is said to be almost always found in company

with the Musky Lorikeet (Glossopsittacus concinnus), and to be practically

identical with that species in its habits. It is the smallest of the Lorikeets,

measuring only about 6| inches in length.


D. Seth-Smith.



PRICES OBTAINED FOR LIVE BIRDS IN 1856.



The following is a list of birds sold by auction at Stevens’ 011 the 27th

of May, 1856; the property of Mr. Davy, of the Bird Room, Baker Street

Bazaar.


Price obtained.



A young tame Grey Parrot and cage .. 30/-.


Handsome talking Grey Parrot, master of 20 words,


and cage .. 38/-.


Ditto King Parrot and cage .. 20/-.


Ditto Grey talking Parrot, 2 years old .. 46/-.


Talking Grey Parrot, to talk on the hand, very tame,


3 years old .. 80/-.


Golden-headed Australian Talking Parrot .. 36/-.


Large Lemon-crested Cockatoo, talks well, very tame.. 50/-.


Pair of Indian Lovebirds and cage .. 22/-.


Three Java Sparrows and ditto .. 8/6.


Ditto .. 9/-.


Pair of Silver Beaks and pair of Averdervats, with cage 17/-.


Pair of Cut-throats and ditto .. 27/6


Waxbills and 2 Bronze Mannikins with cage .. 17/-.



