84 ELEGANT PABEAKEET. 



between theni, the absence of the red shoulder spot in the former, is 

 not sufficient to separate them: they are probably no more than local 

 varieties of one species, to which this bird, the Turquoisine, and most 

 probably the Splendid Parrakeet belong. This, however, could be 

 readily ascertained were the experiment of pairing them together made, 

 which we think could very easily be accomplished, and then observing 

 whether the offspring of these unions were fertile, or barren: if the 

 former, then the fact would be established that the parent birds were 

 merely varieties of one, and did not belong to two distinct species; 

 but if the latter, it would be equally proved that those who adopt the 

 separatist theory are right. Why cannot our Zoological Society con- 

 stitute themselves arbitrators in this and many other kindred matters, 

 and clear up the uncertainties and difficulties that now exist? 



But we must not ask too much at once, the authorities at the "Zoo" 

 have just completed a palatial residence for the serpents in their 

 possession, and perhaps, by and bye, may turn their attention to the 

 Psittacidce, and provide the melancholy inmates of their "Parrot House", 

 which a recent writer on ornithology has, not inaptly, termed a " Cham- 

 ber of Horrors", with an abode more in conformity with their active 

 and lively habits than the narrow cages in which they are now immured, 

 and in which so very many of them come to an untimely end. 



We are quite sure that were a roomy, well lighted house built for 

 the Parrots, with a series of spacious cages well fitted with logs, 

 branches and old stumps of trees, provided for their accommodation, 

 not only would the sight be one of the most attractive in the Gardens, 

 but many of the species would breed, and the sale of the offspring, 

 especially of rare varieties, prove no inconsiderable source of revenue 

 to the Society, to whose consideration we commend the suggestion, 

 which is as old as the days of Dr. Latham, who advocates the same 

 thing in one of his works, printed more than half a century ago : Parrots 

 he thought were as worthy of improved accommodation as monkeys, 

 and, we may add, as snakes, and a good deal more deserving too. 



In this connection we would fain make another suggestion for the 

 benefit of our Society: to wit, let a small extra charge for admission 

 to the new house be made, say twopence, or even a penny, and the 

 Society would soon recoup themselves for the outlay of building; 

 visitors, we are inclined to think, at least the great majority of them, 

 would look at the matter in the same light, and raise no objection to 

 the enhanced cost of a peep at all the curiosities of the "Zoo", for 

 would they not get a great deal more value for their money, in 

 watching the merry gambols of the liberated Parrots and Parrakeets 

 in their new homes, than they do at present, when they see nothing 



