58 RING-NECKED OB BENGAL BABBAEEET. 



from its continental relative in size only; so that it seems to us un- 

 necessary to separate it into a distinct species, as many writers, including 

 Dr. Russ, have done. The latter writer names it Der Kleinste Alex- 

 ander sittich (Psittacus eques); it received the name of Palceornis 

 bitorquatus from Kuhl and Vigors, an appellation to which Prince L. 

 Bonaparte added the further specific epithet borbonica. It is seldom 

 to be met with in Europe, as it scarcely ever falls into the hands of 

 the dealers, the few individuals that are about having been brought 

 over by returning colonists: it is generally confounded with the bird 

 just described, from which, as we have said, it only differs in being 

 a trifle smaller; but it is quite as hardy, and susceptible of education. 



The Ring-necked Parrot, whether African or Indian, makes a nice pet, 

 very tame and gentle with its friends, but given to scream horribly at 

 sight of a stranger. It is not, usually, a great talker, though there are 

 many exceptions to this rule : one that we have frequently seen being 

 credited with the knowledge of over one hundred different sentences. 



The female is known by the absence of the rose and black rings. 



The treatment should be the same, in every respect, that has been 

 recommended for the Alexandrine Parrakeet. 



When first imported these birds are decidedly delicate, many dying 

 before they become acclimatised; but once they have got over the 

 effects of the voyage, and have become used to their new surroundings, 

 they grow quite strong and hardy, even to the extent of wintering 

 out of doors with impunity in this bleak climate of ours. 



We are not aware that the Ring-necked Parrot has ever been bred 

 in England, although it is not unusual for solitary females to deposit 

 eo-gs in their cages: but we do not think any very persistent attempts 

 have been made to perpetuate the species in confinement here. 



In India, however, it is not unfrequently bred in aviaries, and from 

 among these domesticated birds has sprung a canary-coloured " sport", 

 that is really a very remarkable bird: though of a rich citron yellow 

 all over the whole body, except the beak which is red, and the legs 

 and feet which are lead-coloured, the Yellow Ring-necked is an albino, 

 for it has a pink eye; it is not very common, and is rarely imported 

 into this country, for it is a great favourite with the wealthy natives, 

 and when one makes its appearance upon the scene it is at once secured 

 for their aviaries, being held in almost as much veneration as the 

 White Elephant in the neighbouring country of Siam. 



The total length of this bird is fifteen or sixteen inches, of which 

 the tail measures nearly ten, the two central feathers being three or 

 four inches longer than the rest. 



The Ring-necked Parrakeet, as we have said, learns to speak well, 



