70 BARRABAND'S PARRAKEET. 



character upon which it is established consists in the slight elongation 

 and slenderness of the tarsi and toes, we have retained it among the 

 Ring Parrakeets, where it was first placed by Vigors, and of which 

 group it may be considered a slightly aberrant form.'" 



We are utterly opposed to an unnecessary multiplication of species, 

 but in this case it seems desirable to class the bird under consideration 

 by itself; it is not a Palceornis, nor a Platycercus, though it stands 

 about midway between the two, and, if only it were a honey-eater, 

 might be readily placed among the Lories, or rather the Trichoglossean 

 group of that family, to which it bears a certain outward resemblance: 

 it is said to partially live upon the blossoms of the gum trees in its 

 native land, but until this statement is confirmed by actual observation 

 in its haunts, it will be better to leave the question of its natural diet 

 open, and feed it as recommended by Mr. Wiener and Dr. Russ, rather 

 than "like the Ring-necked Parrakeet", as advised by another writer. 



It is much to be deplored that so little unanimity of opinion as 

 regards the habits, and even the names, of birds should obtain among 

 authors; but as the different species get to be better known, which 

 can only happen when a number of connoisseurs have possessed, and 

 studied them intimately in their aviaries and bird-rooms, many points 

 that are now obscure will be cleared up, slight differences be recognised, 

 and fancied resemblances differentiated, and the study of Natural His- 

 tory rendered a pleasure instead of a serious task to the tyro, as it 

 is at present. 



