Psittacus monachus, Bdd.

Grey-breasted or Quaker Parrakeet (Ger., Monchssittich, Quaker-sittich, Mausesittich, Monchspapagei, Quaker, junge Witive, graukopfiger Dickschnabelsittich; Fr., Per ruche mohie, Perruche souris; Dut., Monniks Dickbekparkiet of Muisparkiet) - Description - Habitat - Character as a Cage Bird - Breeding in Captivity.

Like the Carolina Conure, the Quaker Parrakeet wins admirers at sight; though its plumage is not so variegated and striking as that of the before-mentioned Conure, being much plainer, in soft colourings, yet it is uncommonly pleasing; indeed, its whole appearance is so pretty that the discoverer, Azara, who observed it in its native country, gave it the name of "the young widow." But the amateur who may be misled by this into buying a couple of these thick-billed Parrakeets will soon regret the step, for their continuous screaming, which cannot by any means be silenced, is unbearable, and scarcely to be endured even by the strongest nerves.

The Grey-breasted Parrakeet is of a light grey on the forehead, front of the head, lores, cheeks, throat, front of the neck, and breast, each feather having a narrow pale-grey tip, so that the grey on the forehead and breast appears marked as with delicate scales, the breast having a noticeably brown shade; all the rest of the upper part of the body is grass-green; the shoulders are shaded with an olive-greenish brown-grey; the primaries indigo-blue; the secondaries, the coverts, and the bend of the wing, blue; the whole of the wings greenish-blue on the reverse side, the inner webs edged with greenish-yellow; the lower part of the breast and the belly a light yellowish-grey; the lower part of the belly, the thigh, hinder part of the body, and the under coverts of the tail, yellowish-green; beak yellowish-grey; eyes brown; feet brownish-grey; claws blackish. The plumage of the young birds is of a less lively green and more uniform grey, the light tips to the feathers on the neck and breast not yet being apparent; the wings are not a pure blue, but rather greenish. Size, that of a thrush (length, 10 3/4in.; wings, 4 3/4in. to Gin.; longest feathers of the tail, 4 3/8in. to 5 3/4in.; outermost feathers of the tail, 2 1/8in. to 3 3/8in.).

Its home is in the western parts of South America, and it is said to be common in Paraguay, Uruguay, the Argentine Republic, and Bolivia. It is found in the mountains up to an elevation of between 300ft. and 400ft. The Grey-breasted Parrakeet was described and named by Gmelin, 1783. The American discoverers, especially Azara, Darwin, Rengger, Burmeister, Gibson, and others, have given us full details of its life in freedom. These parrakeets always live gregariously, even in the breeding season. Their flight is rapid and skilful, with quick strokes of the wing; they climb with uncommon cleverness, but, on the ground, run awkwardly, and, being tree birds, seldom alight. A flock of them always betrays itself, wherever they may be, by continual shrill, piercing cries. Their food consists of seeds, fruits, and, during summer and autumn, chiefly of thistle seeds. The forests, a traveller tells us, contain thousands of the nests of these parrakeets, which usually hang from the ends of the branches, into which they are woven. Each separate nest consists of an ante-chamber, and behind this the real nest, which is always occupied by one couple. The entrance is usually effected from below, but if it should be at the side, it is protected by a projecting roof. In this manner about a dozen pairs build their nests close together; every spring the couples build new nests upon the old ones, and thus there arises in time an enormous pile of these structures in one mass, which may often weigh several hundredweights, and on many a sturdy old forest tree one may see seven or eight such settlements, in which the birds are constantly at work, mending the nests, etc.; and new ones are always added in spring for the fresh breeding season. Breeding begins in November, and the brood consists of seven or eight, but more generally of six. The nests are occupied by the birds, even after the breeding season, all through the year. Thorny twigs are used exclusively for building purposes, and Azara tells us that the part of the nest used for hatching is lined with grasses. The old clusters of nests often afford a refuge to strange guests, such as a species of duck, which finds them a convenient residence, and often even opossums turn them to account. Throughout the whole day piercing screams resound about the nests, and on this account, no less than the destruction to the crops of maize, fruit, etc, the parrakeets are greatly disliked, the more so as, like all species of parrots, they destroy much more than they consume. They are, therefore, unrelentingly pursued, and as, in spite of this, they are by no means shy, are shot in great numbers or caught in nets. They are considered most delicious game, so that regular parrot-shooting parties are frequently arranged. In many parts rewards are offered for their destruction, and occasionally, in La Plata, they are shot down in thousands. Such is their perseverance, however, that they are not easily beaten back, and they return again and again to the •maize fields. But in certain localities, where they have noticeably diminished, they are cautious and shy, and there the Quaker Parrakeet, to the annoyance of the sportsman, acts as a sentinel to all other animals. They may be often seen, after the close of the breeding season, flying about in large flocks in search of food.

The old authors - Buffon, Bechstein, and others - speak of the Quaker Parrakeet as a cage bird. Bechstein says it appears of a melancholy temperament, becomes very tame, and learns to speak, although but little; he adds, its cry of allurement is a high, sharp-sounding screech. Azara informs us that it is highly esteemed in its native country as a cage bird, and is regarded with preference as a talker. The account given by Gibson is very interesting. He says that one may often hear a Quaker, among the numerous swarms, repeating words which it has learnt in captivity and remembered after its escape : "Often, in passing through the forests, I heard, to my astonishment, a bird of this species hoarsely crying, 'Pretty Poll!'" This traveller is of opinion that the Grey-breasted Parrakeet never learns to speak distinctly. The assertion is, however, emphatically denied by their affectionate admirer, Dr. D. A. Willink, of Utrecht. He found a trained Grey-breasted Parrakeet in the shop of a Mrs. Bianchi, at Nice, which made itself remarkable chiefly by trying furiously to bite all strangers, and which, consequently, no one would buy. "As I visited the place frequently, the bird soon became accustomed to me, and began to speak. In French it could only say, 'To Arms! ' and then it would imitate the tattoo on a drum; in Italian it could say, ' Rosetta, come here! give me a kiss!' Further, it coughed and laughed, and soon became so tame that it would come on my finger and kiss me. I bought it, and it is now unusually affectionate; however, it is still vicious and unfriendly to every stranger. It speaks as clearly as the best grey parrot, but, in spite of this, has not left off its dreadful screech, which, unfortunately, it utters only too often." Mr. Exner also writes of a-Grey-breasted Parrakeet, which he allows to fly freely in the garden, and which has learnt to speak a great deal and to sing, and can also laugh and cry.

Anyone wishing to train a parrakeet of this species to speak will do well to see that he gets a young bird; and, for this reason, I have clearly described the plumage in that stage. The duller the colour and the more indistinct the grey undulatory lines on the neck and breast, the younger is the Quaker and the more amenable to teaching will it prove.

This species is usually offered for sale in couples, and then either bought by ignorant amateurs, and disposed of again as soon as possible, or else purchased with the intention of keeping for breeding. The latter, indeed, gives rise to much excitement and pleasure, and has already, in many instances, been attended with successful results. In all cases this parrakeet has built nests similar to those used in freedom. The Quaker Parrakeet is well suited to zoological gardens, for it is hardy and strong, and may be kept quite well through the winter in unheated rooms.