74 BED-WINGED PABBAKEET. 



As we had our doubts of the correctness of these assertions, we 

 cross-examined our friend pretty severely as to the accuracy of his 

 recollections, then referring to a period of some years back, and he 

 confessed that perhaps it was the Blue Mountain Lory that the natives 

 used to treat in the manner he described, and from which he had seen 

 the nectarious juices of the wattle trees flowing in a stream; but he 

 was positive as to the correctness of his reminiscences in regard to 

 the frequent occurrence of this Parrakeet, and in proof thereof showed 

 us a goodly number of wings which he had taken from the birds he 

 had shot and preserved. 



So we were satisfied, for we could not bring ourselves to believe 

 the first account given by our friend of the Red-wing to be correct, 

 it being quite at variance with all that we knew of the bird and its 

 habits; for persons who are not naturalists are scarcely to be trusted, 

 in a general way, with regard to the accuracy of their recollections of 

 animals, especially when they are suddenly called upon after the lapse 

 of a few years to relate their experience; and it is by neglecting the 

 thorough sifting of such evidence, that so many mistakes have crept 

 into works on Natural History; there is always some risk of taking 

 information at second-hand, but occasionally there is none other to be 

 had, in which case the statements made require testing in every possible 



Dr. Russ is certainly in error when he says: ""Heimat ganz Austra- 

 lien", (it extends over the whole of Australia,) for it is confined to 

 the eastern, and especially the north-eastern, portions of that country. 



We are with the doctor, however, entirely, when he says: "It is 

 remarkable for its elegance and amiability, and is as enduring as most 

 of the genus. It is a pity it so seldom reaches the dealers' shops/' 



Let us hope that as its various good qualities become better known 

 to the philavian public, a demand will be created that will result in a 

 more abundant supply of the Red-winged Parrakeet in the bird-market 

 than has hitherto been the case. And as a female in the possession 

 of Herr Professor Kamphausen has actually laid eggs in Dusseldorf, 

 there seems no reason why the bird should not be bred, by and bye, 

 in our aviaries. 



Seeing that the Red-wing is a gentle and tractable bird, it should 

 learn to speak, and acquire the use of articulate language, at least to 

 as great extent as any of its relations, such as the Rosella, Cockatiel, 

 and others of which we have read accounts, as well as seen and possessed 

 examples : the fact being that with patience and perseverance any bird 

 can be taught to imitate the human voice; even such unlikely subjects 

 as the Canary bird, not to speak of the Bullfinch; for individuals of 



