i68 BIRDS 



some, this bird is not uncommon here. Like most of its 

 congeners, it is hardy and long-lived. 



The King Parrakeet {Aprosmictus cyanopygius) , of 

 Australia, although not at all a common bird, still is to be 

 had occasionally. For dazzling beauty, coupled with ex- 

 treme longevity, it has hardly an equal among parrakeets. 

 The adult male has the upper parts green, with the wings 

 deep blue, while the entire head, neck and underparts are 

 brilliant scarlet. The female has the red confined to the 

 abdomen and sides. This is a quiet, phlegmatic bird, much 

 given to sedentary habits. In spite of the lack of exercise, 

 however, it has a never-failing appetite, the gratification of 

 which does not seem to have the ill effect on the digestive 

 system common to inactive birds. 



Of the true love-birds (Agapornis), there are ten known 

 species, all found in Africa or the neighboring islands. Be- 

 cause of the inaccessibility of the habitat of most of the 

 forms, only five species have reached the hands of avicul- 

 turists, and one, the Abyssinian (A. taranta), is so rare 

 as to be negligible. A short, black-banded tail, consisting 

 of feathers with rounded tips, characterizes all of the species. 

 They are thus easily distinguished from the New World 

 Parrotlets and the Australian Grass Parrakeets or Budgeri- 

 gars, which are commonly miscalled love-birds. 



Mated birds exhibit the strongest affection for each other, 

 which has given rise to their popular name. It is not true, 

 of course, that in case of the death of one the mate will pine 

 and die. But this legend is often given strength by the 

 fact that the cause which brought about the death of one 

 bird is very likely to have a similar effect on the survivor. 



Love-birds are commonly kept as cage birds, and once 

 acclimated, most species live very well. In an aviary, how- 

 ever, they are at their best, since most individuals are too 

 wild for cage life. 



