PLATE XVII. 



whatever can remain of its being exactly the variety which that 

 eminent Naturalist has described. 



Edwards informs us that this bird is a native of Sumatra ; 

 Osbeck met with it in Java, where he tells us it is known by the 

 name of Parkicki. The title of Perruche de Perou which it bears in 

 PdL EnL might induce a persuasion of its being an inhabitant of 

 South America, whicli, however^ is not believed among Ornithologists. 

 We have already mentioned that it occurs in the Phillippine Islands, 

 and that from this locality, the particular variety found there has 

 obtained the appellation of the Phillippine Parrakeet. 



We are indebted to Osbeck for a concise description of the 

 manners of this interesting species when in a state of captivity, " if 

 put into a cage," observes this traveller, " it whistles very seldom 

 and commonly grows quite sullen : it hangs itself with its feet so 

 that the back is turned towards the earth, and seldom clianges this 

 situation : it is fed with boiled rice ; in which manner, in the year 

 1752, one was brought to Gottenburgh." It is probably this infor- 

 mation to which Linnaeus alludes in his Academic paper, delivered in 

 1760, where in speaking of the manners of this bird, he tells us 

 it sleeps on trees, suspended by one foot with its head downwards, 

 in order to escape the observation of the rapacious birds of night. 

 The nest of these birds are described by Toreen. We observed," 

 says this writer, " that their nests were remarkable for their exceeding 

 fine texture, but we did not see the birds. If these nests were differ^ 

 ently constructed, the monkies would be very mischievous to them ; 

 but now, before they can get to the opening, the lowest part, as the 

 weakest, breaks into pieces, and the visitor falls to the ground without 

 danger to the young birds." 



