34 QUAKER FABBAKEET. 



Parrakeets, was recently in possession of an individual of this species 

 which, according to the account of his friend Dr. Puss, "speaks as 

 clearly as the best Grey Parrot, but, in spite of this, has not left off 

 its dreadful screech, which unfortunately it utters only too often." 



The breeding season of these birds in their native country commences 

 in November, and they have not as yet adapted themselves to the change 

 of seasons in this northern hemisphere, but begin their curious nest- 

 building labours at the same time they used to do at home; and 

 consequently their attempts at multiplying their species in captivity 

 generally end in failure; in the course of time, perhaps, they will 

 understand the difference of the seasons and accommodate themselves 

 to their altered circumstances; as many of their congeners, notably the 

 Broadtails and Grass Parrakeets, have already in great measure done. 



The Grey-breasted Parrakeet is about eleven inches in length, of 

 which the tail measures five; it is stoutly built, and from its habit 

 of bristling up the feathers of the head and neck, looks more bulky 

 than it really is. 



The grey feathers of the breast are edged with a line of a lighter 

 shade of the same colour, which is wanting in young birds; and the 

 male has a slight shade of reddish purple on his breast, by which he 

 can be readily distinguished from his consort. 



"This pretty Parrot," says Bechstein, writing towards the close of 

 the last century, "distinguished by its silvery grey colour, is about the 

 size of the turtle-dove. Its ruffling the feathers of its head, particularly 

 on the cheeks, added to the smallness and peculiar way in which it 

 holds its bill, which is always buried in its breast, gives it somewhat 

 the appearance of a small screech owl. It is very mild, speaks but 

 little, and even seems to be of a melancholy turn. Its call is loud 

 and sonorous. It is the same species which is mentioned in the travels 

 of Bougainville, by Pernetty. 'We found it/ says he, 'at Montevideo, 

 where our sailors bought several at two piastres a-piece. These birds 

 were very tame and harmless; they soon learnt to speak, and became so 

 fond of the men that they were never easy when away from them.'' The 

 general opinion is that they will not live more than a year and a half if 

 kept in a cage, but this prejudice is entirely unfounded." Commenting 

 on the foregoing extract from the pages of the Father of bird-lore, it is 

 only necessary to observe that these birds are still comparatively cheap, 

 the price varying from five shillings to seven shillings and sixpence a 

 pair; although occasionally they can be purchased for even a smaller sum 

 than that first mentioned. The reason of this is, that they are not 

 particularly handsome, as a glance at the illustration will shew; that they 

 are common in their native country and frequently imported, sometimes 



