BARRABAND'S PARRAEEET. 69 



suitable regimen predisposes them; to which recommendation we may 

 add insect food, and honey, or figs, crushed into a pulp, and slightly 

 moistened, of which these birds appear to be passionately fond. 



They are not cleanly in their habits, and require a large well- sanded 

 cage, but thrive better in an out-door aviary, where they should not 

 be trusted with other birds smaller and weaker than themselves; for, 

 although some individuals of the species are mild and peaceable, others, 

 and we might say most of them, are treacherous and spiteful, sidling 

 up to an unsuspecting bird that is quietly enjoying a siesta, and nipping 

 it by the leg, which is generally broken, but occasionally cut clean 

 off. 



They are common enough in the interior of New South Wales, and 

 are not unfrequently caged in that country by the colonists, although 

 they make poor talkers, but the difficulty of preserving them through 

 the voyage, renders them always scarce in this country. 



Selby and Jardine's account of this bird, written many years ago, 

 is so interesting, and, in parts, so really amusing, that we are tempted 

 to quote a portion of it here. — "In this handsome bird we have one of 

 those interesting forms which so beautifully connect groups, otherwise 

 distant and far removed: for though the character and shape of the 

 tail, the well-defined ring or neck-collar, the proportions of the wings, 

 etc., evidently place it in this genus (Palceomis), its elevated tarsi and 

 feet (sic) shew an approach to the Broad-tailed Division (Platycercince), 

 which stands at the further extremity of the Psittacean family. It is 

 also a native of New Holland, in which interesting country so many 

 species of Platycercus have been discovered, the rest of the Ring Par- 

 rakeets, being the greater part of them natives of Continental India, 



and its neighbouring islands It (the Barraband) was first figured 



by Mr. Swainson, in his elegant and valuable Illustrations, under the 

 name of Psittacus Barrahandi, from a skin in the possession of Mr. 



Leadbeater Judging from the proportion of its legs and feet, we 



are led to suppose that it is more terrestrial in its habits than its 

 congeners, or that, in addition to its scansorial or grasping powers, it 

 possesses superior activity, and moves with greater facility upon the 

 ground/' 



Which is actually the case, and shows what correct deductions may 

 be adduced, by an experienced observer, even when the conclusion 

 arrived at is not the true one, from analogies that would, doubtless, 

 have escaped the notice of persons less used to exercise their reasoning 

 powers. 



Our authors continue, "By Wagler this bird was removed from the 

 genus Palceomis, and constitutes his genus Polytelis; but as the only 



