Psittacus xanthopterus. Synonyms: Conurus xanthopterus, Brmst., Scl.;

Conurus xanthopterygius, Brj.; Aratinga xanthopterus, Spx.;

Psittaculus xanthopterygius, Br.;

Stitace xanthopterus, Wgl.; Psittacula xanthopterygia, Gr.; Tirica xanthopterus, Bp.; Brotogerys xanthoptera, Fnsch.

German: Der Gelbflügelsittich, oder Der Kanarienfliigelsittich.

French: Perruche xanthoptère.

"NOT one of the rarest objects in the Bird-market", writes Dr. Russ, "but nevertheless, no great favourite with Fanciers and Breeders"; a statement which the doctor proceeds to qualify by the assertion, that the breeding of this little Parrot in confinement is desirable, in order to the clearing up of certain points connected with its development; which however he does not specify.

It is decidedly a pretty bird, as a glance at the accompanying plate will show, of a dark grass green colour above, lighter beneath; and marked across the wings with a narrow yellow band; whence its common English name of Canary-wing, or Canary-winged Parrakeet. It is a native of the northern parts of South America, where it is of sufficiently common occurrence, and is frequently caged, for it learns to speak fairly well; and, if brought up from the nest, becomes very tame and gentle, but never loses its natural note; which Herr Max Eichler describes as "recht unangenehm", an expression that may be freely rendered, "quite too utterly awful"! and this is unfortunately true, and would altogether unfit the bird for cage-life, but for the fact that this "exceedingly disagreeable" shriek (Geschrei) is not very frequently uttered - only, in fact, when the bird is frightened, or in want of something; while its many funny little ways endear it to the amateur who has it in possession.

Dr. Lucks, who considers its cry as "by no means harsh or disagreeable," relates that a bird of this species which he keeps in an open cage, has become very tame and gentle with him, though still distrustful of strangers; in whose presence it is always shy. At breakfast the bird comes from its cage, climbs up the window curtain, crosses two cages and comes down the curtain on the opposite side to the sofa; whence it makes its way to the table, where he is in the habit of feeding it with sugar, toast, etc. If the doctor does not immediately notice it, the little Parrakeet pecks his finger, looking at the same time appeal-ingly up into his face. When its appetite is satisfied it returns by the same difficult route to its abode.

Dr. Luchs is in the habit of giving two or three mealworms a day to his Canary-wing, which has learned to ask for them, when it thinks the time has come for the treat it has grown to look for. "Paporle", it cries, "Paperle, ein Mehlwurm", (Little Polly, little Polly, a mealworm,) and other individuals of the species have displayed even greater capacity for the acquisition of articulate speech.

So far there is no recorded instance of the Canary-wing having bred in captivity, but as new species are yearly being found to nest in various aviaries, it is possible that it may have done so without the fact being doomed of sufficient importance to merit a notice being sent to those papers which devote a part, or the whole, of their space to bird matters.

There is scarcely any perceptible outward difference between the sexes. "1 often thought that two of these birds which I possessed were a real pair, for though the plumage was alike, one was decidedly larger than the other, and that they would end by having a brood; but my expectations came to nothing, for I always found the nest-box empty, even after they had made the greatest fuss in it, and had stayed inside for an hour at a time. Possibly they might breed if they had a free flight in the aviary; but they are so mischievously disposed and aggressive towards even the largest Parrakeets when they have their liberty, that I am obliged to keep them confined. They always combine together to attack an adversary, one waiting for the assistance of the other." - Thus Dr. Russ. We have not found thorn worse in this respect than the other Conures, few of which can be kept in a mixed aviary without disastrous results to the rest of the inmates; whether large or small.

To sum up: the Canary-wing is a pretty and engaging little bird, about the size of a thrush; it, is decidedly intelligent, and has proved itself capable of being perfectly tamed, and of learning to speak a few words; on the other hand it has a very disagreeable screech, which, however, is seldom uttered without provocation. It is mischievous and quarrelsome with its fellow captives, and has not so far been reared in confinement. Having thus stated impartially its good and bad qualities, it is for the amateur who reads these lines to decide whether the bird is, or is not, a suitable or desirable acquisition for his aviary.