Among the most vivacious and docile members of this family, the Dwarf
Parrots (_Psittacula_) deserve our particular notice, for their behaviour
is quite in harmony with their beautiful exterior. "The poets," says
Schomburghk, "could not have been aware of the tender love that exists
between a little pair of Dwarf Parrots, or they would never have selected
doves as their models of ideal tenderness; indeed, it is impossible to
compare the latter with the former in this respect. Between these "Love
birds," as we generally call them, there exists the most perfect harmony
in all their acts and wishes. They eat together, share the same bath,
and if the male bird utters his cry his mate will instantly join her
voice to his. Should one fall ill, the other feeds it, and, however many
may be assembled on a tree, the little couples never leave each other.
It is well known that these elegant little creatures can only be reared
in pairs, or, at any rate, they must be allowed the society of some of
their race. If taken young out of the nest, before they have chosen a
mate, it may happen that solitary individuals can be reared; but the
older birds never survive the death of their little companions, and
soon pine themselves to death. More need not be said in favour of these
'inseparable birds.'"
The "Dwarf Parrots" are not larger than Finches or Larks, and are
distinguished by their short, bluntly-hooked beaks, and strikingly short
small tails, the feathers of which are tolerably equal in size and
pointed. The quills of their wings are short, and when the latter are
closed reach to the end of the tail; their legs are likewise short and
feeble. The plumage is soft, long, and large-feathered; the individual
feathers are, usually, not bright, but strikingly coloured and marked. We
are acquainted with many species, which are spread over Africa, Asia, and
South America, and resemble each other in their habits and mode of life.
All are true parrots, climbing the branches with the greatest dexterity,
flying rapidly, and feeding upon fruit and corn; the nests are made in
the holes of trees, and their eggs are small, rounded, and white.