GOLDEN-CROWNED PARRAKEET. 
17 
Although the beak of this Parrakeet is very long and sharp, and 
its claws of unusual size and strength, it is a remarkably gentle and 
timid creature, never bites, even when taken in the hand, or makes 
itself in any way a nuisance to its owners or to its companions in the 
aviary, where it permits itself to be bullied by birds not a third or 
quarter of its size, without evincing the least resentment. 
The voice of the Golden-crowned Parrakeet is soft and musical, and 
we have never heard it scream. It becomes exceedingly tame in cap- 
tivity, to the extent even of accompanying its owner out of doors; it 
is easily frightened, however, and as its wings are strong, and its 
flight powerful, it is apt to stray away when terrified, but invariably 
returns when the alarm is over. 
The female bears a strong resemblance to her mate, and can only 
be distinguished from him by comparison, when she will be found to 
be a trifle smaller, and to have a rather paler frontlet than he. 
Although so tame and gentle, there is no record of these birds 
having, so far, bred in captivity; yet they are hardy enough to pass 
the winter in an unheated bird-room without inconvenience to them- 
selves, and it is probable that in a well-sheltered aviary they might 
be even safely wintered out of doors. 
Occasionally they are imported in large numbers, and may then be 
bought cheaply; as a rule, however, the dealers charge two or three 
pounds a pair for them. 
The Golden-crowned Parrakeet requires to be fed and treated as 
recommended for its red-fronted congener, described in the preceding 
chapter, and seems to be particularly fond of bread-crumb soaked in 
cold water, which, probably, reminds it of the soft seeds upon which 
it was accustomed to feed in its native land; it drinks freely, and 
should never be without water, both for bathing’ and drinking purposes. 
It is a very cautious bird, and though extremely fond of a dip, 
displays a considerable amount of sagacity in the indulgence of its 
propensities, and will by no means rush inconsiderately into danger, 
we lately witnessed one of these birds anxious to take a bath, but 
fearful of the depth of water, make a circuit round the pan, as if 
considering what steps to take, and then, holding on tightly by one 
foot to the edge of the vessel, back cautiously into the water to about 
a third of its own length, when, thinking, doubtless, it had gone far 
enough, it flapped its wings vigorously, wetting itself completely in a 
few seconds, and then, drawing itself up carefully out of the pan, flew 
off to a perch to dry and arrange its feathers. 
This bird is excessively fond of washing itself, and also drinks freely, 
notwithstanding which facts we have seen the poor creature condemned 
