252 Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens.


The Yellow-vented Parrakeets in the above list are, of

course, ordinary “ Blue-bonnets,” though by some extraordinary

error, they are marked in the official list of additions as new to

the collection. This is doubtless accounted for by the fact that

this species and its near relative the Red-vented Parrakeet

{Psephotus hcematorrhous ) were, at one time, not recognised as

distinct species, both being termed Psephotus hczmatogaster, a

name that appears frequently in former editions of the List of

Vertebrated Animals. Hence, when these birds were deposited

under the correct name of P. xanthorrhous they were entered as

“ new to the collection,” as this name did not occur in the

Society’s list. As every aviculturist who has studied Parrakeets

knows, the Red-vented species is the rare form, and the Yellow-

vented the ordinary one. So uncommon in fact is the Red-vented

Blue-bonnet that our great authority on Parrots, the esteemed

President of this Society, remarked, in his review of Parrakeets ,

that he did not know that such a bird existed. It is hardly

likely then that all the “ Blue - bonnets ” that the Zoological

Society has owned have belonged to this rare form.


While on this subject, I might mention that I recently

examined a good series of skins of “Blue-bonnet” Parrakeets,

and was struck by the way in which the two forms intergrade,

it being very difficult to say to which some of the specimens

belonged.


I have already pointed out in 'Parrakeets (page 196) how

greatly the Blue-bonnets differ in habits from the other species

of Psephotus , and my strong opinion that they are worthy of

generic distinction. The two forms are figured in colours in the

work just referred to.


Thanks to a very genial spring, most of the Parrots in the

new Flying aviary appear to be doing very well, though the

vegetation is rapidly vanishing. The Quakers have made a

beautiful nest of sticks, which is well worth a special journey to

see, and both Leadbeaters and Rosy Cockatoos appear to be

nesting in some artificial logs that have been provided for

their use.


A pair of Laughing Kingfishers have a nest and the

female is sitting well in the Great Aviary. D. S.-S.



