GOLDEN-CROWNED PABBAKEET. 17 



Although the beak of this Parrakeet is very long and sharp, and 

 its claws of unusual size and strength, it is a remarkably gentle and 

 timid creature, never bites, even when taken in the hand, or makes 

 itself in any way a nuisance to its owners or to its companions in the 

 aviary, where it permits itself to be bullied by birds not a third or 

 quarter of its size, without evincing the least resentment. 



The voice of the Golden-crowned Parrakeet is soft and musical, and 

 we have never heard it scream. It becomes exceedingly tame in cap- 

 tivity, to the extent even of accompanying its owner out of doors; it 

 is easily frightened, however, and as its wings are strong, and its 

 flight powerful, it is apt to stray away when terrified, but invariably 

 returns when the alarm is over. 



The female bears a strong resemblance to her mate, and can only 

 be distinguished from him by comparison, when she will be found to 

 be a trifle smaller, and to have a rather paler frontlet than he. 



Although so tame and gentle, there is no record of these birds 

 having, so far, bred in captivity; yet they are hardy enough to pass 

 the winter in an unheated bird-room without inconvenience to them- 

 selves, and it is probable that in a well-sheltered aviary they might 

 be even safely wintered out of doors. 



Occasionally they are impoi-ted in large numbers, and may then be 

 bought cheaply; as a rule, however, the dealers charge two or three 

 pounds a pair for them. 



The Golden-crowned Parrakeet requires to be fed and treated as 

 recommended for its red-fronted congener, described in the preceding 

 chapter, and seems to be particularly fond of bread-crumb soaked in 

 cold water, which, probably, reminds it of the soft seeds upon which 

 it was accustomed to feed in its native land; it drinks freely, and 

 should never be without water, both for bathing and drinking purposes. 



It is a very cautious bird, and though extremely fond of a dip, 

 displays a considerable amount of sagacity in the indulgence of its 

 propensities, and will by no means rush inconsiderately into danger: 

 we lately witnessed one of these birds anxious to take a bath, but 

 fearful of the depth of water, make a circuit round the pan, as if con- 

 sidering what steps to take, and then, holding on tightly by one foot 

 to the edge of the vessel, back cautiously into the water to about a 

 third of its own length, when, thinking, doubtless, it had gone far 

 enough, it flapped its wings vigorously, wetting itself completely in a 

 few seconds, and then, drawing itself up carefully out of the pan, flew 

 off to a perch to dry and arrange its feathers. 



This bird is excessively fond of washing itself, and also drinks freely, 

 notwithstanding which facts we have seen the poor creatures condemned 

 ii. c 



