54 BLUE-BREASTED LORY. 



birds were added to the already rich, collection of the London Zoological 

 Society in May, 1871, and a third individual in June of the following 

 year, but did not survive their importation very long, which is the more 

 to be regretted that they showed themselves to be possessed of many 

 desirable qualities, during the brief period in which they graced the 

 Parrot House by their presence. 



Dr. Meyer relates that in their native islands these Lories have always 

 been held in great esteem as cage pets; a reputation which, he says, 

 they deserve, "for they are never dull and sulky, like the Cockatoos, 

 but lively, active, charming, and lovable"; and in another place he 

 says, "they learn to speak, but never as well as the Cockatoos and 

 Eclecti (Edelpajoageien) . 



Herr Scheuba, on the contrary, says that they are very quiet and 

 silent, and adds that they are very timid and easily frightened. 



Although these accounts of the same bird exactly contradict each 

 other, there is no doubt they are both taken from life; from which 

 we may conclude that the Blue-breasted Lories, like other creatures, 

 differ immensely in disposition, and that it is unsafe to generalize from 

 an individual, or even from two or three. 



The single specimen of this species which we have had under obser- 

 vation was certainly far from evincing timidity, even at the sight of a 

 stranger, but was, on the contrary, inquisitive and forward; greeting 

 a new comer with a series of shrill outcries, as it clung to the side 

 of its cage which was nearest to the intruder. This bird was extremely 

 tame, and would take food, a piece of fig, or a grape, from anyone's 

 fingers. It was fed on rice boiled and well sweetened, also bread and 

 milk and ripe fruit. It never seemed to ail anything; yet one morning 

 was found dead in its cage, apparently without any cause. A post- 

 mortem examination, however, would probably have showed that a 

 blood-vessel had given way in the brain; in consequence, no doubt, of 

 the bird straining to relieve itself, the rice having doubtless proved to 

 be indigestible. 



Needless to remark that in their native woods these beautiful Lories, 

 which derive their English name from a broad band of blue that extends 

 across the breast, live principally upon the nectar of the flowers that 

 are to be found there in such profusion, pretty well all the year round ; 

 and for which even ripe sweet fruit, figs, and especially boiled rice, 

 form a poor substitute. 



Whether it is possible to devise a better dietary, and so keep the 

 Blue-breasted Lory in health for a more prolonged period than can at 

 present be accomplished, or whether to allow it to range its native 

 woods in peace, and live on the food nature has so abundantly 



