IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 275 



tempered, and seldom become tame ; in an aviary they live chiefly on 

 the floor, searching for seeds, insects and grubs ; the rose-hill is the 

 most sprightly and noisy of this group; the yellow-collared is a very 

 quiet and gentle creature, although at times apt to become cross and 

 sulky, probably from beinjj teased by visitors. The New Zealand 

 parrakeet, as already remarked, is delicate and shy ; though said to ba 

 a ground bird, the specimen in the garden was never seen on the floor 

 of the aviary, except at the time of feeding. 



(201) THE GREATER VASA PARROT. 



(COEACOPSIS YASA-(Linn.) ) 



Description.— The general colour of the plumage dull greyish black 

 beak white ; total length about 16 inches. 

 Hab. — Madagascar. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 A specimen lived for about six years. 



(202) THE LESSER VASA PARROT. 



(COEACOPSIS mGcTLA.-{Linn.) ) 



The general colour of the plumage the same as of the preceding 

 species, but its size is smaller. 

 Hab. — Madagascar. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 A specimen has been living since 1886. 



(203) THE GKREY PARROT. 

 (PSITTACCUS EEYTHACUS— Linn.) 



Description. — The ground colour of the plumage ashy grey, the 

 feathers of the head, neck and breast being margined with pearl 

 whitish ; the tail short and red; bill black ; iris yellow. 



Hab. — Africa. 



Length of life in captivity. 



Though generally hardy, none of these birds lived more than five 

 years in the garden. 



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