176 PAL^OKNIS cyanocephalits. 



Lake ; and throughout the entire north-western region of Mount Ahoo and Guzerat it is found, not freqiienting, 

 however, the parched-up province of Sindh, which is only to be expected, seeing that it is a bird which loves 

 a luxuriant country. It inhabits the plains at the foot of the great Himalayan range, extending into 

 those mountains up to 5000 feet, but giving place as it goes eastwards to the Burmese bird, P. rosa, which 

 ranges as far westward as Nepal. 



Habits. — In the Central Province this Parrakeet frequents chiefly the patnas on the hillsides and the 

 vicinity of the paddy-fields of the natives in the valleys. In the low country it is partial to wooded lands 

 near rice-fields, open glades, cheenas, and clearings generally in the jungle. It forms one of the most 

 pleasing ornithological features of Ceylon, what with its gay plumage and its restless disposition, leading it 

 to dash about in small parties, which glance with the swiftness of an arrow down the valleys and ravines of 

 the verdant forests, and make these lovely spots re-echo with its musical whistle, while its bright green attire 

 contrasts with the many-coloured foliage of the woods. It perches much on the very tops of trees, balancing 

 itself on the smallest leafy twig, and remains perfectly motionless until started into flight by the approach of 

 danger. Mr. Ball remarks that the way in which these birds conceal themselves in trees is a matter of 

 surprise, and hints that it is apparently not only the colour but the position in which they perch that accounts 

 for their similarity to the surrounding foliage. In hot weather in Chota Nagpur they choose the Sal tree 

 (Skorea robusta), and one may approach within a few feet of the birds without being able to distinguish a 

 single individual. I have myself observed the same thing with Palaornis torquatus, when perching or feeding 

 in a tree with small light-green roundish leaves, the name of which I am not acquainted with. 



The present species is very fond of dead trees, which usually stand in cheenas in the low-country 

 jungles ; it climbs actively about the branches of these, using its bill, and shows its plumage off to advantage 

 against the charred wood. Its flight is very swift indeed, and when shooting down a ravine it proceeds with an 

 oscillating or side to side motion, its wings half-closed, at a speed surpassed by few birds in Ceylon. Its note 

 is a clear and high-pitched musical whistle, which is usually uttered on the wing ; it is possessed of considerable 

 vocal powers, and can be taught, in confinement, to whistle tunes, Captain Ilutton recording an instance of 

 one which whistled many familiar airs. It is not, however, kept as a caged bird in Ceylon to such an extent 

 as either of the foregoing species. 



It is most destructive to the grain fields of the natives, devouring enormous quantities of Kurrukan, 

 which is in many wild parts of the forests the only edible seed they cultivate; it also attacks the brinjals and 

 small red cucumbers which are much grown on newly burnt cheenas. Large flocks take up their quarters in 

 these localities and resist all attempts to drive them away, returning immediately after being shot at, and 

 settling on the tops of their favourite dead trees until they can again with safety renew their pillaging on the 

 vegetables of the unfortunate half-starved cultivators. 





Nidification. — This Parrakeet breeds from February until May in the western parts of Ceylon, nesting 

 in holes in the smaller limbs of dead trees. I once found its nest in a mere sappling but a few inches in 

 diameter ; at the bottom of the cavity were a number of dry pellets of earth, which made it apparently rather 

 uncomfortable for the 4 young ones which were huddled together in it. They bore their own nest, choosing 

 a partially decayed piece of wood, which they follow up into the centre of the branch, making the egg-cavity 

 larger than the entrance. The eggs are laid on the dead wood, and the female is a very close sitter. The eggs 

 are usually four in number and are pure white, the shell being devoid of gloss; they average 1*0 by 0"81 inch. 



