^'Nasiterna pygmcea to be not a very uncommon bird in the countries it inhabits; but, from its small 
size and ;^reen coloration, it is difficult to discover and to obtain. Beccari says that, if one can discover their 
bowers, it is not hard to catch them. According to him they have the habit of climbing up the trunks of 
the trees ; he says also that the natives often catch them alive inside the hollow trees, where it seems that 
they nest. I have beard from D’ Albertis that he once obtained from a native a living bird, which after 
some time succeeded in escaping. 
“It was likewise reported to Mr. \Vallace by his assistant, Mr. Allen, that this Pygmy Parrot nests in hollow 
trees, and lays eggs like those of the South-American PsUtamlce," 
Dr. Meyer has written me a note as follows: — got this bird only near the foot of the Arfak Mountains 
in New Guinea, where, at Andai, I procured specimens in the middle of the day. There this lovely little 
Parrot was sleeping on the lower branches of the trees, and could be whipped off with a stick. This is also 
the case with other Parrots which are allied to the group. I may mention Cyclopsitta lunulata, from 
the Philippine Islands, the individuals of whicli species sleep in the middle of the hot tropical day in rows, 
under the shade of the foliage, when one after another can be shot down without the survivors attempting 
to fly away. It may be imagined how soundly they sleep when the noise of the shot does not disturb them ; 
and it is the same with Naslterna, At other times of the day It is difficult to procure, as it lives in the high 
trees, where its small size and green plumage form a sufficient protection.” 
The following description of the species has also been given to me by Count Salvadorl : — 
“ Adult male. Green, the uiiderparts lighter ; plleum yellowish, faintly tinged with reddish towards the 
forehead ; cheeks brown ; middle of the abdomen red; under tail-coverts yellow, the lateral ones tinged with 
green ; two middle tail-feathers blue, the lateral ones black, edged externally with green, the three outer 
tail-feathers with a yellow spot at the tip of the inner web. 
'■'Female and young male. Differs from the adult male in wanting the red colour on the middle of the 
underparts, which are yellowish green. Total length 3-1 Inches, wing 2-3, tail TO, culmen 0-4.” 
The figures are of the size of life. 
