46 PURPLE-CAPPED LORY. 



as in some lights to appear black, and the tail feathers are edged with 

 a yellow border. 



The female closely resembles the male, and can only be distinguished 

 from him by comparison; but this makes little difference, unless it be 

 desired to secure a pair for breeding purposes, for she is quite as 

 clever as her mate, learning to speak, not only words, but long sentences, 

 to imitate domestic sounds, and to sing and warble like a Canary, with 

 equal facility. 



Although properly classed with the Lories, the Purple-cap differs 

 materially from the typical form of those birds: for instance, the fila- 

 mentous character of the tongue is much less apparent in it than in 

 other members of the same sub-family, in whom the tubular and pa- 

 pillary structure of that organ is developed to its utmost extent. 



Consequently the bird under notice is more easily kept than the true 

 Lories, and will, in fact, live for a number of years on a diet such 

 as we have recommended for the Blue Mountain Parrot: we have even 

 seen one of these birds that lived, in fair health, for a number of 

 years on bread and milk sweetened with brown sugar, with occasionally 

 a few grapes, or strawberries thrown in for a variety, when in season. 



All the birds of this species that we have ever seen were exceedingly 

 tame and gentle, and, moreover, excellent linguists and mimics., and 

 evinced the greatest attachment towards their owners, whose caresses 

 they received and returned with much apparent pleasure. 



The price of the Purple-cap is always pretty high, a specimen being 

 scarcely to be obtained under fifty shillings, while £20 have been paid 

 for a highly educated individual, that was looked upon by its purchaser 

 as dirt cheap at the money. 



Personally, as a bird to keep in one's study, and make a pet of, 

 we prefer the Purple-cap to any other with which we are acquainted, 

 not even excepting our ancient friend of the crimson tail, for it never 

 shrieks, and evinces altogether so amiable and charming a disposition, 

 that it is impossible for anyone to know it without loving it; and this 

 high character it has maintained unimpaired for many years, since 

 Bechstein, nearly one hundred years since, wrote concerning it: — "It 

 appeared to be the mildest, most endearing and amiable; in short, the 

 most docile and talkative of all Parrots. It cries lory', and chatters 

 incessantly, but in a hollow voice, something like that of a man who 

 speaks from his chest; it repeats everything whistled to it in a clear 

 tone; it likes to be always caressed and paid attention to; its memory 

 is very good." 



Jardine again in The Naturalist's Library, speaks of it in equally 

 eulogistic terms: "Held in great estimation, not only on account of its 



