ELEGANT PABBAEEET. 85 



but a series of moping forms, with more or less ruffled plumage, and 

 listen to a series of discordant, if not appalling shrieks? we think 

 there is no doubt about it, and hope the suggestion now made will be 

 attended to. 



"In the cage it endures better than the preceding species", (the 

 Turquoisine), says Dr. Russ, in his Handbook; "it has even bred in 

 several instances, but in all other respects it resembles It.-" 



The same author asserts that it lays from four to seven eggs 

 {"Gelege 4—7 Eier"), which is about the number deposited by the 

 Turquoisine; another proof of the close similarity existing between these 

 so-called separate species of the Grass Parrakeet sub-family of the 

 PsittacidcB. 



Writing of the Elegant, Mr. Gedney observes: "I was greatly amused 

 upon one occasion to watch the impertinent molestation offered to a 

 pair of these birds by a saucy little Zebra Finch. This tiny champion 

 had snugly ensconsed himself, with his little wife, at the entrance of 

 the hollow in which was deposited two Elegant's eggs, the owners of 

 which had incautiously left their treasures for a few seconds only. 

 They were now in great dismay to find the entrance of their house 

 in possession of the enemy; and as each in turn advanced to assert 

 their right of ingress, out came the little cock Zebra, like a miniature 

 bull-dog, driving the poor Parrakeets in dismay before his furious 

 attack. Then would the champion return, blow off a series of blasts 

 from his trumpet, and settle down by the side of his wife again to 

 receive her caresses. This performance was repeated several times, 

 and so much did I enjoy the sight that I abstained from coming to 

 the rescue by routing the offenders. At last the Elegants obtained 

 a victory by stratagem. The pair advanced, one on either side of the 

 hole, and out came the Zebra as usual, but whilst his attention was 

 directed against one Parrakeet, the other slipped into the nest, inflicting 

 a sharp bite upon the little hen Zebra in passing, and causing her to 

 fly off in great trepidation. Whether or not her husband was ashamed 

 of his defeat, I am unable to say, but he never afterwards ventured 

 to interfere with his opponents, and they successfully reared a fine 

 brood of birds." 



Mr. Gedney adds a number of interesting details, and mentions that 

 "the eggs (of the Elegant Parrakeet) are laid on alternate days", 

 which, however, judging from analogy, we cannot consider to be the 

 general habit of these birds, for Turquoisines lay every day, and, as 

 we have already said, we consider that a very close affinity exists be- 

 tween the two species, if species they really be, and not merely varieties 

 the one of the other. 



