29 



§§EAUTIFUL OR 

 IgARADISE 1§ARRAKEET. 



Psittacus jpulcherrimus, Russ. 



Synonyms: PsepJwtus pulcherrimus, Gld., Bp.; Platycercus 



pulcherrimus, Gr., Fnsch.; Euphema pulcherrima. German: Der 



Paradiessittich. 



MORE lovely, if possible, than the Many-coloured Parrakeet, the 

 subject of the present chapter is even more unsatisfactory as a 

 pet. 



No one can see it without desiring to possess so beautiful and graceful 

 a bird, and large sums are constantly being paid for handsome speci- 

 mens by amateurs : but, alas ! one in a thousand survives a few months, 

 and — dies suddenly in a fit one day. 



Much acrimonious controversy has been expended on the subject of 

 the endurance or non-endurance of these birds in captivity. Dr. Russ 

 and Mr. Wiener consider that it is all but impossible to preserve it 

 for more than a few months, while other writers look upon it as not 

 more difficult to keep than a Budgerigar; one author calls it a " Grass 

 Parrakeet", but admits that it "requires skilful management", as 

 without "the most watchful care", it has "a nasty habit of shuffling 

 off this mortal coil without giving any previous intimation of its in- 

 tention so to do." 



Such also is our own experience, but we have nevertheless seen 

 specimens in magnificent plumage that survived in an out-door aviary 

 for nearly two years, and may be there yet for anything we know to 

 the contrary; they were fed and treated as we have recommended in 

 the last chapter for the Many-coloured Parrakeet: and in Germany 

 eggs have been produced, but, as yet, no young of this species have 

 been reared in captivity; at least, to our knowledge. 



