i6+ BIRDS 



nized. There are three important groups: the Broad-tails 

 and Grass Parrakeets of the Australian region, the Ring- 

 necks and allied species and the American forms. The 

 characters which distinguish parrakeets from parrots are 

 more or less arbitrary, but the possession of a long tail, 

 whether pointed or rounded, is the most prominent char- 

 acter. 



The American Conures and Parrakeets (CoNURiN.a;) 

 make good cage birds, as most of the specimens which reach 

 us are hand-reared and tame. It is not uncommon for them 

 to learn to speak a few words. 



The cage should be of metal and large enough to provide 

 room for the inmates. A number of the species have reared 

 their young in captivity, but they must have the run of an 

 aviary for this purpose. They nest in hollow logs, as do 

 other birds of this order. 



The food should consist principally of oats, canary and 

 millet, with the addition of a small quantity of sunflower 

 and hemp. Green food and fruit should be furnished, as 

 well as water for drinking and bathing, a privilege of which 

 many parrakeets will avail themselves. 



The best known species are the Conures (Conuncs), of 

 which about thirty forms are known. All are characterized 

 by the possession of long, pointed tails. Many are uncom- 

 mon or rare, only a very few being abundant in the market 

 here. 



Three closely allied species are seen in about equal por- 

 tions, and divide the honors of popularity. These are the 

 Aztec Conure (C asteca), of Central America, the Cac- 

 tus CoNURE (C cactorum), of southeast Brazil, and the 

 Brown-throated Conure (C. (sruginosus) , of northern 

 South America. All are green above, with brown faces 

 and throats. The Aztec and Brown-throated are very simi- 

 lar, but easily distinguished by the yellow ring around the 



