BANGING PARROTS. 
J 3 i 
Sulu Islands (Loviculus bonapartei) as looking like a little glowing ball of 
vivid crimson, yellow, and green. The blue-crowned species (L. galgulus), here 
figured, is an inhabitant of the Malay Peninsula and Islands, and measures just 
BLUE-CROWNED HANGING PARROTS ASLEEP (§ nat. size). 
over 5 inches in total length. In the male the general colour is green, with a 
deep blue spot on the top of the head, another of yellow on the interscapular 
region, a broad band of yellow across the lower part of the back, the rump and 
upper tail-coverts scarlet, and a patch of the same colour on the throat. The 
female is duller. 
As might be inferred from the conformation of their beaks, all the hanging 
parrots are flower-suckers, subsisting largely on honey, although they also eat 
flower-buds and young shoots. The Indian species ( L. vernalis) is usually found 
in open spaces in the forests, where it associates in small flocks. When feeding, it 
keeps up a continual chirping cry; and it is said, like the fruit-bats, to be at times 
taken in a stupefied condition, lying beneath the pots suspended to catch palm- 
juice. They appear to pass a large portion of their time in sleep; but when awake 
exhibit marvellous activity in climbing. From the nature of their food, these 
little parrots are not well adapted for captivity, although they can be kept on a 
diet of rice boiled in milk and well sweetened, with the addition of fruit and 
