45 



IIurple-Capped fgoRY. 



Psittacus atricapillus, Euss. 



Synonyms: Lorius domicella, Lorius orientalis indicus, 



Domicella atricapilla. German: Der schwarzJctijppige Lori. 



French: Perroquet lori a collier jaune, Le Vail. 



THE very charming Parrot which forms the subject of the present 

 notice is, perhaps, more frequently and more successfully kept in 

 domesticity than any of the Indian members of the Lory sub-family 

 of the Psittacidce, a distinction it owes no less to its beautiful plumage, 

 docility, and amiable character, than to its acknowledged hardiness. 



The latter is of course a comparative quality, and when we say that 

 the Purple-cap is hardy, we do not wish it to be understood that it 

 is as easily kept as a great White Cockatoo, as any person misinter- 

 preting our meaning, would soon discover to his cost: but among the 

 Lories it is hardy, rivalling the Blue Mountain in this respect; and, 

 although we are not aware that it has ever bred in captivity, we have 

 personal knowledge of solitary females laying eggs on the floor of their 

 cage, and evincing a strong desire to incubate. 



The nesting of this species is identical with that common to the rest 

 of the family; a hollow bough is chosen, and the three or four white 

 eggs are laid on the bare wood, and the young make their appearance 

 in the outer world about six weeks after the laying of the first egg, 

 and never return to their nursery again. 



The Purple-capped Lory is a native of the Moluccas and adjacent 

 islands, from whence it is yearly imported in increasing numbers, as 

 its mode of treatment and excellent qualities as a domestic pet, are 

 better understood. Its length is about eleven inches, of which the short 

 tail measures four inches. The general or ground colour is scarlet, a 

 yellow collar decorates the breast, the wings are green, and the points 

 of the shoulders blue, the top of the head is purple, of so deep a shade 



