THE



Avicultural Magazine


THE JOURNAL OF THE

AVICULTURAL SOCIETY



Fourth Series .—VoL XL—No. 5.—All rights reserved. MAY, 1933.



BOURKE’S PARRAKEET


(Neopsephotus bourket)


By E. J. Boosey


When I was asked by our Editor to write an article on Bourke’s

Parrakeets, I wondered for some time how best I could convey the

unique beauty of this little bird to those who, perhaps, may never

have seen a living specimen.


Bourke’s Parrakeet is the complete antithesis of the now-happily-

defunct “ Bright Young People 55 . They seem to realize instinctively

that their beauty is of such a quality that they have no need to

advertise themselves. No need to be for ever shouting to anyone who

will listen : “ Look at us—look well—and see how beautiful, how vivid

we are—before it is too late ! ”


If you don’t appreciate the beauty of Bourke’s, you just don’t and

that’s an end of it, but they would, I feel sure, pity rather than blame

you for such lack of taste. For Bourke’s are quiet little birds, and in

their tranquil loveliness they remind one of lavender and old lace,

and the half-forgotten peace of a golden age that is never likely to

return.


Their voices are not harsh, but quiet and pleasant, and entirely

in harmony with their appearance.


Unlike most Parrakeets they possess no vivid colours. Their plumage

is of a delicate smoky brownish grey laced with pale gold on the back.



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