Psittacus elegans, Russ. Synonyms: Euphema elegans, Gld., Gr., Fnsch.; Nanodes elegans, Gld.

German: Der Ziersittich.

ELEGANT PARRAKEET.

THIS handsome bird is, we believe, only a local variety of the species just described, which it resembles in almost every particular; the same dark green vesture, enlivened by a blue band round the beak, and blue markings on the shoulders and wing coverts; the under surface is also yellow, deepening to orange at the vent: the one point of difference is that the Elegant has less blue on the wing than the Turquoisine.

The female very closely resembles her mate, but has less of the blue markings on the face than he has, and the golden hue of the lower surface is, in her case, washed with a greenish tinge, the vent feathers are also paler, being yellow rather than orange.

The young are like their mother, but duller of tint; however they moult when six or seven months old, and can then no longer be distinguished from their parents.

Not only does this bird resemble the Turquoisine in appearance and size, but in habits and in the possession of a tolerably musical voice, especially during the earlier days of his courtship, when he sings and dances before his mate in a manner which, to her, no doubt is charming, but which, to the human beholder, verges closely on the ridiculous. The Elegant is a gentle bird, and may be kept in a mixed collection, but is not as likely to breed in such a situation as if he and his wife were given a good-sized aviary for their own exclusive benefit. It is said that these birds will breed in a large aviary cage, but upon this point also we are without personal experience.

We are disposed to believe that the Elegant and the Turquoisine belong to the same species, and that the main point of difference between them, the absence of the red shoulder spot in the former, is not sufficient to separate them: they are probably no more than local varieties of one species, to which this bird, the Turquoisine, and most probably the Splendid Parrakeet belong. This, however, could be readily ascertained were the experiment of pairing them together made, which we think could very easily be accomplished, and then observing whether the offspring of these unions were fertile, or barren: if the former, then the fact would be established that the parent birds were merely varieties of one, and did not belong to two distinct species; but if the latter, it would be equally proved that those who adopt the separatist theory are right. Why cannot our Zoological Society constitute themselves arbitrators in this and many other kindred matters, and clear up the uncertainties and difficulties that now exist?

But we must not ask too much at once, the authorities at the "Zoo" have just completed a palatial residence for the serpents in their possession, and perhaps, by and bye, may turn their attention to the Psittacidoe, and provide the melancholy inmates of their "Parrot House", which a recent writer on ornithology has, not inaptly, termed a "Chamber of Horrors", with an abode more in conformity with their active and lively habits than the narrow cages in which they are now immured, and in which so very many of them come to an untimely end.

We are quite sure that were a roomy, well lighted house built for the Parrots, with a series of spacious cages well fitted with logs, branches and old stumps of trees, provided for their accommodation, not only would the sight be one of the most attractive in the Gardens, but many of the species would breed, and the sale of the offspring, especially of rare varieties, prove no inconsiderable source of revenue to the Society, to whose consideration we commend the suggestion, which is as old as the days of Dr. Latham, who advocates the same thing in one of his works, printed more than half a century ago: Parrots ho thought were as worthy of improved accommodation as monkeys, and, we may add, as snakes, and a good deal more deserving too.

In this connection we would fain make another suggestion for the benefit of our Society: to wit, let a small extra charge for admission to the now house be made, say twopence, or even a penny, and the Society would soon recoup themselves for the outlay of building; visitors, we are inclined to think, at least the great majority of them, would look at the matter in the same light, and raise no objection to the enhanced cost of a peep at all the curiosities of the "Zoo", for would they not get a great deal more value for their money, in watching the merry gambols of the liberated Parrots and Parrakeets in their new homes, than they do at present, when they see nothing but a series of moping forms, 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. Russ, in his Handbook; "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 ("Gelege 4 - 7 Eier"), which is about the number deposited by the Turquoisine; another proof of the close similarity existing between these so-called separate species of the Grass Parrakeet sub-family of the Psittaeicdoe.

Writing of the Elegant, Mr. Godney 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 Finch. 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 entrance 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 came 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 her 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 "the 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 between the two species, if species they really be, and not merely varieties the one of the other.

We have had Budgerigars and Cockatiels that laid on alternate days, acting in that respect contrary to the usual habit of their congeners; and a Red-rump that allowed three days to elapse between each egg; but we consider such birds to be wanting in vigour, and never found that they produced "a fine brood of birds", but that their eggs were very frequently unfruitful, and that when young were hatched, these were invariably weak, and not unfrequently misshapen, or rickety, or incapable of flight.

Constipation seems to be the chief ailment of the Elegant Parrakeet, to obviate which, as it often gives rise to "fits", we advise an abundant supply of growing grass, in flower and seed, and crumbs of stale bread soaked in cold water, and squeezed nearly dry.

If proof were wanting to convince some people, who hold the contrary opinion, that water is necessary for Parrots and Parrakeets, the experience of the late Mr. Gould, as related in his magnificent work on The Birds of Australia, ought to be sufficient. "I found myself surrounded", says that writer, "by numbers (of Grass Parrakeets) breeding in the hollows spouts of the large Eucalypti bordering the Mokai; and on crossing the plains between that river and the Peel, in the direction of the Turi mountains, I saw them in flocks of many hundreds, feeding upon the grass seeds that are there abundant. So numerous were they, that I determined to encamp upon the spot, in order to observe their habits, and to procure specimens. The nature of their food and the excessive heat of these plains compel them frequently to seek the water; hence my camp, which was pitched near some small fords, was constantly surrounded by large numbers, arriving in flocks varying from twenty to a hundred or more. The hours at which they were most numerous were early in the morning, and some time before dark in the evening."

From the above extract it will be seen that in their native land these birds drink freely; and such is also our experience with many species in different parts of the Australian bush, where we have frequently seen large flocks resorting, as Mr. Gould describes, morning and evening to the water holes.

Although the Elegants and other Grass Parrakeets like to fly in company, they do not care to have their habitations in too close proximity to one another, so that if several pairs are kept in the same aviary, this will require to be of considerable extent, so that the birds may not be crowded, or they certainly will not breed; the jealousy of the males preventing proper fertilization of the eggs, and if one pair only be kept, the results would be much more satisfactory.