IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 200 



their wild state feed on fruits and the saccharine juice of flowers : the 

 erroneousness of the dealers' practice has only been proved by costly 

 experience in this garden. In captivity they thrive on sugarcaoe, 

 plantains and other luscious fruits ; biscuits, bread, boiled sweet potatoes 

 and vegetables may occasionally be given. 



Breeding. — In consequence of unsuitable accommodation they have 

 never bred in this garden; they have, however, frequently during 

 the spring shown tendencies towards breeding ; and the experiment of 

 assigning a good sized cage, with suitable nesting accommodation in 

 some retired spot to properly matched lorikeets, might be successful. 



Transport. — During the season when sugarcane is available there 

 need be no difficulty, as with proper care it may be made to last a 

 good while ; at other times plantains, raisins, dates, and sweet potatoes 

 may be provided. 



Nothing is known about their ailments in captivity. 



Observations on their habits. 



The lorikeets are not unfrequently caged in Bengal ; and, if well 

 acclimatized, get very tame ; they are, however, never demonstrative, 

 neither are they endowed with much intelligence, but they are very 

 active cheerful creatures, and have a pleasant chirping call note, which 

 they continue to utter when something unusual attracts their attention, 

 or sometimes without any cause ; their flight is rapid, and they possess 

 the peculiar habit of resting or sleeping pendant with their heads down- 

 wards. 



(180) THE TOEQUOISINE GEASS PAEEAKEET. 

 (EUPHEMA PULCHELLA— (Shaw.) ) 



Description. — Of the size of a crested ground parrakeet; the general 

 colour of the plumage above, olive green ; the forehead, lores and the 

 cheeks sky blue ; the border of the wing also the same colour ; an elongated 

 red patch on the wing ; under parts of the body yellow ; sexes differ, 

 the female having less blue about the face and the wings, and the wing 

 spot is reddish-brown instead of red. 



Hab. — New South Wales. 



Length oe life in captivity. 



A pair obtained in July 1878 lived for about three months 'only, 

 having never recovered from the delicate condition in which they 

 arrived, nor was their habitation suitable. 



(181) THE UNDULATED GEASS PAREAKEET. 

 (MELOPSITTACUS UNDULATUS— {Shaw ) ) 



Budgerica of the Calcutta bird-sellers. 



Description. — The ground colour of the plumage greenish-yellow ; 

 forehead and face yellow ; the feathers of the nape, sides of the neck, back 



