SWINDER'S LOVE-BIRD (_Agapornis Swinderiana_), one of the prettiest
members of this group, is a tiny creature, at most five inches in length,
of which more than one inch belongs to the tail: it is about nine inches
broad, and each wing measures three inches from the shoulder to the tip.
The prevailing colour of the plumage is green; the under part of the
body, wings, and upper tail-covers are a beautiful azure blue; the short,
scarcely rounded tail is, with the exception of the two middle feathers,
green, but bright red at the root and towards the end, with a black line
dividing the two colours. The face, belly, and tail-covers are yellowish
green, and the upper part of the throat is surrounded by a black band.
These beautiful birds inhabit the western and interior parts of Africa,
but information as to their habits in their native land is entirely
wanting.
[Illustration: THE CRESTED HAWK PARROT (_Deroptyus accipitrinus
coronatus_).]