The Aviaries nvd Birds nt Benham Valence. 99 
tiful. It ranges from Brit. Columl)ia to Guatemala, According 
to the " Cambridge Natural History," that though retiring they 
are also fearless, and capture birds bigger than themselves, bats, 
rodents, moths and large insects generally. There is a still smaller 
Guatemalan species (6r. eobnnonse) which is five inches long, 
gnoma being just over six inches long. A most interesting bird. 
Hooded Parrakbets (Psephotus cucullatus). This 
species is very similar to the well known, but very uncommon. 
Golden-shouldered Parrakeet (P. chrysopterygmft), but may 
readily be distinguished therefrom by the absence of the yellow 
forehead, larger golden wing patches, and deeper red on the ven- 
t)al region. The females of the two species differ as follows : 
Hooded (P. niciiUatuft), crown of head, dull apple-green ; Golden- 
shouldered (P.chrynupterygim) has the crown dull brownish-chest- 
nut and is generally paler in colour. I am indebted to Mr. Astley 
for pointing out these distinctions. Mr. Astley has two pairs of 
this species, they are recent acquisitions, and it is questionable 
whether he will succeed in saving them, though there had been 
an imjn'ovement in their condition since he removed them to a 
house with an almost tropical temperature. It is certainly to be 
hoped that not only will they be saved, but also breed during this 
season. Hab. : New Caledonia. 
In the various aviaries are to be found the following, of 
most of which I can make l)ut scant mention. 
Bourke's Parrakeet (Euphema bourkii) A fine flock 
of 1() ; they are free breeders in these aviaries. 
Splendid RosELLAS (I'ldli/cercus splendidus ) , This 
species may well be described as a glorified Red Rosella (P. 
eximus)'\ All the colours are richer and purer than those of P. 
exhnus and the feathers of the mantle and upper back are edged 
with brilliant golden-yellow instead of green, and it occurred to me 
that a better name would be Goklen Rosella and more in keeping 
with the cognomens of the other two species. The specimen was 
in grand condition, not a feather out of place. 
Rock Parrakeet {Neophema petrophila). Very rare — a 
species of much interest to aviculturists and which makes one 
long once more, for the once common, but now unheard of for 
many years, Turquoisine. 
Many-coloured Parrakeets (Psephotus multicolor): 
