CARROTS IN CAPTIVITY. 



p.OSE-Jfi'ILL OR POSELLA fgARRAKEET. 



Psittacus eximius, Russ. 



Synonyms: Psittacus capitatus, Shw., Khl.; 



Psittacus omnicolor, Bchst.; Platycercus eximius, Vgrs., Gld., etc. 



German: Der JBuntsittich oder die Rosella. 



French: La Perruche omnicolore. 



^\TTOT only is this bird distinguished for the rich colouring of 

 -L-^i its plumage, but by its lively and active habits, and, in the 

 breeding season, by the comical way it has of singing and dancing - ": 

 Dr. Russ thus commences his description of the Rosella, which certainly 

 is one of the handsomest of the Australian Parrots, and at the same 

 time one of the most familiar and easily managed of all its congeners: 

 it is about the same size as the Oockatiel, but of rather stouter build, 

 with shorter tarsi and stronger feet and claws: it is found in Tasmania, 

 and all the southern parts of Australia, where it breeds in hollow 

 boughs from October to January, laying from five to seven and even 

 nine eggs at each setting. 



The head and neck are bright red, the throat yellow, the cheeks 

 white with a bluish shade, the back greenish olive, the tail green and . 

 blue: the back feathers are black edged with green. 



The sexes are alike in colouring, but the female is a more sedate 

 personage than her mate, who is vivacity . personified; she is a trifle 



II. B 



