41 



f>ANARY-^gf INGED fgARRAKEEET. 



Psittacus xanthopterins. 



Synonyms: Conurus xanthopterins, Bemst., Scl.; 



Conurus xanthopterygius, Bbj.; Aratinga xanthopterins, Spx.; 



Psittaculus xanthopterygius, Be.; 



Sittace xanthopterins, Wgl.; Psittacula xanthopterygia, Ge.; Tirica 



xanthopterins, Bp.; Brotogerys xanthoptera, Fnsch. 



Geeman: Per QeTbflilgelsittich, oder Per Kanarienflilgelsittich. 



Febnch: Perruche xanthoptere. 



NOT one of the rarest objects in the Bird-market", writes Dr. 

 Buss, "but nevertheless, no great favourite with Fanciers and 

 Breeders"; a statement which the doctor proceeds to qualify by the 

 assertion, that the breeding of this little Parrot in confinement is desirable 

 in order to the clearing up of certain points connected with its devel- 

 opment; which however he does not specify. 



It is decidedly a pretty bird, as a glance at the accompanying 

 plate will show, of a dark grass green colour above, lighter beneath; 

 and marked across the wings with a narrow yellow band; whence its 

 common English name of Canary-wing, or Canary-winged Parrakeet. 

 It is a native of the northern parts of South America, where it is of 

 sufficiently common occurrence, and is frequently caged, for it learns 

 to speak fairy well; and, if brought up from the nest, becomes very 

 tame and gentle, but never loses its natural note; which Herr Max 

 Eichler describes as "recht unangenehm", an expression that may be 

 freely rendered, "quite too utterly awful"! and this is unfortunately 

 true, and would altogether unfit the bird for cage-life, but for the 

 fact that this "exceedingly disagreeable" shriek (Geschrei) is not very 

 frequently uttered — only, in fact, when the bird is frightened, or in 

 want of something; while its many funny little ways endear it to the 

 amateur who has it in possession. 



