106 How to Sex Cage Birds. 



In addition to this character, the females of many of the Parrots 

 are smaller than the males, and have rounder heads ; in some, the 

 iris is paler in the females, and it is probable, if careful measure- 

 ments were taken, that most of them have shorter wings than their 

 mates ; in some the bare patches on the face differ sexually, and, as 

 a matter of course, the form of the beak is always worth comparing, 

 and the colour of the cere at the base of the upper mandible. 



The Ka-Kas {Nestoridae). 



According to Gould, these strange birds do not move about the 

 earth with the awkward, shambling gait of the more typical Parrots, 

 but by a series of leaps, exactly after the manner of the Crows. 



Kea Parrot or Mountain Ka-Ka {Nestor notabilis). 



I could find no sexed skins of this bird. I probably overlooked 

 them, as a pair is noted in the Catalogue. Count Salvadori says 

 that the female has the tints of the plumage duller than the male, 

 and the dusky marking of the feathers broader. Doubtless it differs 

 also in form of beak, as in the succeeding species. 



Common Ka-Ka (Nestor meridional is). 



The beak of the male is much larger, and with more curved 

 terminal hook than that of the female. 



The Lories (Loriid<v). 



The sexes of these birds differ very little in plumage, but there is 

 always a more or less well-defined difference in the outline of the 

 beak when viewed from above ; as this difference is similar to that 

 which occurs in many of the Finches, I have not thought it worth 

 while to illustrate it. 



Red-fronted Lory (Chalcopsiltacus scintillatus). 



The beak of the male is considerably broader than that <>f the 

 female, and has a longer terminal hook ; the colouring of the top of 

 the head is perceptibly brighter in the male, and this appears to be 

 a constant character so far as I could judge by a comparison of the 

 sexed skins in the Museum. 



Blue-streaked Lory (Eos reticulata). 



The beak of the male is distinctly shorter than that of the female, 

 fuller towards the tip, and with a broader terminal hook; the 

 colouring of its head is also unquestionably brighter. 



Blue-tailed Lory (Eos histrio). 



Oddly enough, in this species the male beak is much narrower 

 than that of the female, and has a noticeably shorter terminal hook. 



