ELEGANT PAB.RAKEET. 
85 
but a series of moping formSj with more or less ruffled plumage, and 
listen to a series of discordant, if not appalling shrieks? we think 
there is no doubt about it, and hope the suggestion now made will be 
attended to. 
“In the cage it endures better than the preceding species (the 
Turquoisine), says Dr. Euss, in his Ilandhoohj “it has even bred in 
several instances, but in all other respects it resembles it.^^ 
The same author asserts that it lays from four to seven eggs 
{“Oelege 4 — 7 3ier'’), which is about the number deposited by the 
Turquoisine; another proof of the close similarity existing between these 
so-called sepai'ate species of the Grass Parrakeet sub-family of the 
Psittaoidce. 
Writing of the Elegant, Mr. Gedney observes: “I was greatly amused 
upon one occasion to watch the impertinent molestation offered to a 
pair of these birds by a saucy little Zebra Pinch. This tiny champion 
had snugly ensconsed himself, with his little wife, at the entrance of 
the hollow in which was deposited two Elegant’s eggs, the owners of 
which had incautiously left their treasures for a few seconds only. 
They were now in great dismay to find the enti’anoe of their house 
in possession of the enemy; and as each in turn advanced to assert 
their right of ingress, out came the little cock Zebra, like a miniature 
bull-dog, driving the poor Parrakeets in dismay before his furious 
attack. Then would the champion return, blow off a series of blasts 
from his trumpet, and settle down by the side of his wife again to 
receive her caresses. This performance was repeated several times, 
and so much did I enjoy the sight that I abstained from coming to 
the rescue by routing the offenders. At last the Elegants obtained 
a victory by stratagem. The pair advanced, one on either side of the 
hole, and out camo the Zebra as usual, but whilst his attention was 
directed against one Parrakeet, the other slipped into the nest, inflicting 
a sharp bite upon the little hen Zebra in passing, and causing her to 
fly off in great trepidation. Whether or not hor husband was ashamed 
of his defeat, I am unable to say, but he never afterwards ventured 
to interfere with his opponents, and they successfully reared a fine 
brood of birds.” 
Mr. Gedney adds a number of interesting details, and mentions that 
“^Ghe eggs (of the Elegant Parrakeet) are laid on alternate days”, 
which, however, judging from analogy, we cannot consider to be the 
general habit of these birds, for Turquoisines lay every day, and, as 
we have already said, we consider that a very close affinity exists be- 
tween the two species, if species they really be, and not merely varieties 
the one of the other. 
