134 
Parrots. 
Parrots. 
By W. Shore Baily. 
(CuiitiiiiicJ froDi fagc ii/J. 
INDIAN PARRAKEETS. 
The next must popular group is that of the Indian Ring- 
necks. Probably more of these birds are kept in cages than any 
other parrot. They make very good aviary birds and are not 
troublesome with Finches, etc. 
The Alexandrine Parrakeet ( Palacuniis iicpaloisis) is 
the largest and handsomest. It is also the most hardy. A pair 
in one of my aviaries dug a hole in the ground, at least the 
hen did, and went to nest there, and as the operation was suc- 
ceeded by a heavy fall of snow and the hen took no harm, it 
vouches for the hardiness of the species. This pair of birds, al- 
though they failed on this occasion, subsequently reared four 
young ones, one of which when caged became a good talker. 
The great drawback to keeping these and all the other Palacorni 
is their unmusical voices. They are inveterate screamers, 
although the Alexandrine is perhaps, hardly so bad in this re- 
spect as the other members of the group. 
The Ri.vg-neck Parrakeet (P- turqiiata) has also 
nested with me on two or three occasions, but never success- 
fully. None of my specimens lived very long. They do not 
seem to be able to stand our winter out of doors. 
The Moustache Parrakeet (P. fasciata ) is sometimes 
imported in very large numbers, and they are then obtainable 
for a few shillings. I have tried for several years to get some of 
them to go to nest, but have not been able to persuale them to 
do so. They are apparently shy breeders. My birds wintered 
year after year out of doors. They took no notice of the small 
birds in their aviary. 
The BlossoiM-headed Parrakeet (P. cyojivcc f^Jiahi ) and 
the Rose-headed Parrakeet (P. rasa) are both charming little 
birds. They differ very little from each other, and are often sold 
by the dealers as the same species. The hen of P. cyauoccphala 
differs from the hen of P. rosa by having no red patch on th'? 
