70 
BABBABAND’8 PABBAKBET. 
cliaracter upon wliicli it is estaMislied consists in the slight elongation 
and slenderness of the tarsi and toes, we have retained it among the 
Eing Parrakeets, where it was first placed by Vigors, and of which 
group it may be considered a slightly aberrant form.” 
We are utterly opposed to an unnecessary multiplication of species, 
but in this case it seems desirable to class the bird under consideration 
by itself; it is not a Palceornis, nor a Platycercus, though it stands 
about midway between the two, and, if only it were a honey-eater, 
might be readily placed among the Lories, or rather the Trichoglossean 
group of that family, to which it bears a certain outward resemblance : 
it is said to partially live upon the blossoms of the gum trees in its 
native land, but until this statement is confirmed by actual observation 
in its haunts, it will be better to leave the question of its natural diet 
open, and feed it as recommended by Mr. Wiener and Dr. Euss, rather 
than ‘^like the Eing-necked Parrakeet”, as advised by another writer. 
It is much to be deplored that so little unanimity of opinion as 
regards the habits, and even the names, of birds should obtain among 
authors; but as the different species get to be better known, which 
can only happen when a number of connoisseurs have possessed, and 
studied them intimately in their aviaries and bird-rooms, many points 
that are now obscure will be cleared up, slight differences be recognised, 
and fancied resemblances differentiated, and the study of Natural His- 
tory rendered a pleasure instead of a serious task to the tyro, as it 
is at present. 
