l34 
CAGE AND SINGING BIRDS. 
THE GRAY-BREASTED PARROT. 
This pretty bird is about ten inches long- ; it is a South 
American species, being found chiefly in Buenos Ayres. It 
very much resembles an owl about the head, the beak 
being small and obtuse, and the gray feathers of the cheeks 
much puffed up. Siskin green, verging into yellow, and 
silvery gray, are its prevailing colours ; here and there is a 
tinge of blue, and the whole of the tints shift and change 
with the motions of the bird in a very beautiful manner. 
It is very docile, and readily learns to speak, but rarely lives 
long in confinement. 
THE BLUE-THROATED PARROT 
Is an extremely rare bird, about the same size as the ash- 
coloured species, which it much resembles in its general 
characteristics ; the head, neck, and a portion of the breast 
are a fine indigo blue, deepening at places into purple ; on 
each side of the head is a spot of black, and one of red on 
either side of the upper mandible of the bill, which is of a 
dark horn colour; the back, belly, thighs, and wings are 
green, shaded with blue and yellow, as are the tail-feathers, 
and the vent scarlet ; the colour of the stout feet is gray. 
THE GREEN TRINIDAD PARROT. 
This West Indian bird is about nine inches long ; it is a 
handsome, lively species, with a body of dark green, red and 
blue wings, and scarlet head, the latter is of small size ; it 
is a tame, affectionate little creature, not much of a talker, 
but interesting from its beauty and engaging manners : it 
must be kept warm. 
THE LONG-TAILED GREEN PARRAKEET, 
Parrakeet is the name generally given to the smaller 
kinds of parrots, from which birds the species placed under 
this head do not otherwise differ than in size : the term is 
somewliat arbitrarily applied, so that you will frequently 
have the same bird called at one time a parrot, at another, a 
parrakeet, as might be expected, there being no exact 
boundary line to divide the larger from the lesser kinds. 
Of pariakeets, the one above named is, perhaps, the most 
