125 



m. 



fEST JfFRICAN fgOVE-glRD. 



Psittacus pullarius, Russ. 



Synonyms: Agapornis pullaria, Bp., Hrtl.; Psittacus guineensis, Mll.; 



Psittaculus guineensis, Psittacula guineensis, etc., etc. 



German: Der Unzertrennliche. French: La Perruche a tete rouge. 



THE u Love-birds" form another important and self-separating group 

 of the Psittacidce, and are found in the old and new world; the 

 species under consideration is perhaps the best known of any, and has 

 been in the hands of dealers and amateurs from time immemorial. 



It is a little larger than a Bullfinch,, and of equally stout build: the 

 prevailing colour of the plumage is green, darker on the upper than 

 on the under surface of the body: a ring of red, deeper on the head 

 than on the throat, surrounds the .beak, and varies in extent and in- 

 tensity of hue according to the age of the bird: the tail is about an 

 inch and a half in length, the first part of each feather for about half 

 its length is red, then comes a black spot, and the extremity is yel- 

 lowish green: the upper tail coverts are so long as to reach the end 

 of the tail, so that this appendage, unless when the bird is flying, 

 seems to be altogether of the same colour as the rest of the body: 

 the beak is long and rather stout for the size of the bird, and is of 

 a yellowish red colour, the eye is full and black, and the legs and feet 

 grey. 



The female resembles the male, but the under surface of his wings 

 is black, while in her the colour is dark green; otherwise the sexes 

 are alike in size and general appearance. 



There is a prevalent opinion abroad that these birds are so affection- 

 ately attached to each other, that if one dies, the other is certain not 

 long to survive it: hence the rather inappropriate name of "Love-bird", 

 for, alas, for the romantic notion! the inseparable will live very well 

 in single blessedness, and trouble himself, or herself, not one whit 

 about the "dear departed." 



