The VARIEGATED PARROT (_Psephotus multicolor_) must be regarded as one of
the most splendidly coloured of the Grass Parrots, amongst which it is
numbered on account of its moderately short wings and unevenly graduated
tail. It is about a foot in length, and nine to ten inches in the spread
of its wings. This bird inhabits the interior of Australia, being very
numerous on the banks of the rivers. The plumage is remarkable on account
of the variety of its colours. In the male the forehead and shoulders
are brimstone-coloured; the under tail-covers yellow; the lower part of
the belly and legs scarlet; the rump striped with yellowish green, dark
green, and reddish chestnut brown; the wings and lower wing-covers deep
blue; the middle tail-feathers blue; the outer ones blueish green, tipped
with pale blue; the beak horn brown; and the feet yellowish brown. The
female, whose plumage is similarly marked, only differs from the male in
the inferior brilliancy of colouring, being of a yellowish brown on the
throat and breast, and only slightly striped on the back of the head and
wing-covers. We have but slight knowledge of these birds either in their
natural state or in captivity.
The Variegated Parrot is, undoubtedly, one of the greatest acquisitions
that a connoisseur can make; it is the ornament of every aviary, and,
like its congeners, pleases as much by its docility as by the splendour
of its plumage. It will also breed in our own country. "My father," says
Neubert, "possessed a pair of Variegated Parrots, which were always very
cheerful and extremely attached to each other. One was a little larger
than the other, and in colour far more beautiful, for that which in the
little one was yellow and orange, was in the larger bird orange and flame
colour, and so on throughout the different tints. On account of this
circumstance, these birds were always supposed to be male and female, and
this opinion was strengthened by observing that they showed the greatest
affection for each other. After a time the lesser bird--whom for the
sake of brevity we will call the female--was always busy on the ground;
it seemed melancholy, and ate scarcely anything, but was constantly fed
by the male out of his crop. One morning there lay a beautiful white egg
in the cage, which the female watched most carefully. My father at once
fastened a willow basket to the cage, filled with materials for a nest,
and placed the egg upon it; the female, however, lifted it again to the
bottom of the cage. On this we gave them a common wooden box, in which a
hole was cut, and filled it with soft materials; both birds immediately
busied themselves in turning them out, and in chipping some very fine
shreds off the inside of the box, on which to lay the egg. From this
time the female seldom came out of the box, but the male frequently went
in to feed her. Several other eggs were laid during the next few days,
some being larger than the rest. The devotion of both birds to the task
of incubation increased daily, and they became so heated as to lose the
feathers from the under part of their bodies. As time went on, neither of
them came out, or only very rarely, to eat. At length we observed that
one was dead; the other continued to sit upon the eggs, but died after a
few days. The eggs were examined, and proved to be addled. It was only
on the birds being stuffed, that the reason of our disappointment was
discovered; both were females, and had laid unfertile eggs. Many English
and Belgian collectors have succeeded in making the Variegated Parrots
lay, so we may hope to see these beautiful birds more numerous amongst
us."
* * * * *
The Australian continent would seem to be a veritable Eden for the Parrot
tribes! The dazzling Cockatoos peep like gorgeous flowers from the masses
of green foliage, and the Scarlet-coated Rose Parrakeet glitters amongst
the yellow blossoms of the acacia, whilst Honey-birds swarm in blithe
and busy parties about the various trees, and the otherwise deserted
plains are animated by the presence of the little Grass Parrakeets.
Parrots abound in Australia, as do the swallows in our villages and
roads, and are met with everywhere in all their variegated beauty. When
the farmer is about to get in his harvest, these birds appear before his
barns in large flocks, seeking, like pigeons, for stray corn among the
stubble. Poetical travellers have often been inspired by the ever varying
spectacle presented by such gorgeous objects; but the settler hates them
from the bottom of his heart, and avenges himself for their depredations
by shooting them with the same indifference as that with which our
country folks kill sparrows.
THE WAVED PARROT (_Melopsittacus undulatus_).
[Illustration: THE ROSELLA (_Platycercus eximius_).]
This beautiful bird is of small size, though its long tail makes it seem
larger than it is; its length is from eight to nine inches, and the
span of its wings ten inches. The body is slender and elegantly formed,
the tail long and graduated, the wings comparatively long and pointed,
the beak moderately large, with a long curved point. The cere, in which
the large nostrils are placed, is broad and slightly inflated; the feet
long, the toes slender, the outer one being longer than the inner. The
beautiful grass green that predominates in the plumage is prettily
marked; the whole of the mantle--that is, the back of the head, neck, top
of the back, shoulders, and wing-covers--are pale yellowish green, each
feather being edged and spotted with black and brown, more finely on the
neck and head than on the back; the under side is of a beautiful uniform
green. The parts of the face, that is, the fore part of the head, vertex,
and throat, are yellow, bordered and spotted with four bright blue spots,
of which those upon the cheeks are the largest, while the others look
like three little round drops. The wings are brown, the outer web of
the quills dark grey, spotted with greenish yellow; the tail, with the
exception of the two blue middle feathers, is green in the middle. Each
feather is striped with yellow, the eye-rings yellowish white, the beak
horn-coloured, the feet pale blue. The female is distinguished from her
mate in being somewhat smaller, and by the different colour of the cere;
with her this is greyish green, whilst in the male it is a bright blue.
The young are without the deep blue spots on the throat, and the regular
markings on the head, which is entirely covered with delicate stripes;
when only eight months old, they assume the plumage of the parent birds.
[Illustration: THE WAVED PARROT (_Melopsittacus undulatus_).]
Shaw was the first naturalist who became acquainted with and described
the Waved Parrot, and Gould is the only traveller who gives us any
information respecting its natural state; from him we learn that these
birds inhabit the whole of the interior of Australia in enormous numbers,
especially where there are large tracts of grass, the seeds of which they
eat.
When Gould was investigating the plains in the interior, he saw the
Waved Parrots flying about, and remained for some time in the vicinity,
in order to observe their habits and mode of life. They came in flocks
of from twenty to one hundred to a small lake to drink, and from this
locality flew at stated times over the plain in search of the seeds which
are their exclusive food; they went to the water in the greatest numbers
in the early morning, or as it grew dark in the evening. During the heat
of the day they sat motionless under the leaves of the gum-trees, the
holes of which were just then occupied by the pairs who were laying, and
as long as they remained quiet, were with difficulty perceptible. When
going to the stream, they alighted freely in large flocks upon the dead
twigs of the Eucalypti, or on the branches that hung down to the water.
Their activity is wonderful, and their flight very rapid, resembling
that of the falcon or swallow; they run upon the ground with facility,
but their feet are ill adapted for climbing among the branches of trees.
When on the wing they utter a screaming cry; and whilst perched amuse
each other with a caressing kind of twitter, which might almost be
termed a song. The Waved Parrot congregates in parties, even during the
breeding-time, although pairs are easily distinguished by their faithful
devotion to each other. The nest is made in the holes and fissures of
gum-trees, and in December contains from four to six eggs of a pure white
colour and somewhat round shape. By the end of December the young have
flown out and are capable of providing for themselves; they then collect
in great flocks, that fly about in company with the old birds. As soon
as the breeding-time is over, the flocks begin their migrations, during
which they pass regularly from south to north, and only return to their
breeding-place when the grass-seeds are ripe. Throughout South Australia
they appear in spring, and also in autumn, with the same precision as
our migratory birds. Some years ago only solitary Waved Parrots were
occasionally seen amongst us; but at the present time every ship brings
hundreds to Europe. Before leaving Australia, the captives are put
together in wooden cages, the perches of which are placed like little
flights of steps above each other, so as to hold a great number of birds
in the smallest possible space. Such a travelling bower presents a most
amusing appearance; the whole party sits in lines, so that one row of
faces appears above the heads of another, and all eyes are fixed upon
an observer, as they seem to beg to be freed from their confinement.
Quarrels and strife have never been observed among them, and until
breeding-time, thousands live most comfortably together, those of the
same sex as happily as the little pairs do. We have seen one of the large
cages of a bird merchant, that had formed part of a cargo of these birds,
and contained more than a thousand pairs, all of which lived in great
harmony. The Waved Parrot does not belong to the "inseparables"--that
is, to those species that pine and die on the loss of their mates; but
it loves the society of its own species, and prefers the company of
the opposite sex. Sometimes it will associate with a small parrot of a
different species, though it never shows the same attachment that it
exhibits to its own. It is, however, necessary to keep these birds in
pairs, as under any other circumstances they are never seen to full
advantage. They require little change in their food, and can live upon
millet or canary seed; they will also eat the juicy leaves of plants,
cabbage, and other vegetables; but despise fruit, sugar, and dainties. In
spite of their preference for dry food, they drink very little, sometimes
not for weeks together, but their owner must not, on that account,
neglect to give them fresh water.
Most parrots, however gentle their disposition, become quite
insupportable by reason of their noise. This is, however, by no means the
case with the Waved Parrots; they can produce a great variety of sounds,
but never use their voice in such a degree as to become tiresome, or
except to express pleasure. It is not too much to say that the male of
this species should be reckoned among the singing birds, for its notes
are something more than a twitter, and often become a very expressive
though modest song; it may, indeed, be taught to imitate the notes of
other good singers in such a manner as to deceive an expert ear. In order
to rear these birds, they should be placed in a small room, which can be
aired and warmed without disturbing the occupants; the floor should be
strewed with sand, and the walls hung with boxes. It is advisable, but
not necessary, to ornament the chamber with living and harmless plants,
for these offer the best places for rest and concealment; evergreens are
particularly suitable for this purpose. Holes should be made in hollow
blocks of willow-trees, and divided into compartments by boards, so
that many pairs may make their nests in the same block. A room of this
description is by far the best for breeding purposes, but in most cases
a moderately-sized cage is quite sufficient. The most important thing is
to leave the birds undisturbed, and keep them well fed.
It is necessary to be personally acquainted with these lovable little
creatures, and to have observed them during the performance of their
parental duties, to be able to understand the enthusiasm with which they
are regarded; it is only during their pairing time that we become fully
conscious of their many merits. "The male," says Devon, "is a model
husband, and his mate is a model mother. He devotes his whole attention
to his chosen one, never heeding another female, though she be in the
same place with him; he is always zealous, devoted, and ardent--indeed,
shows the utmost affection towards his partner. Perched upon a twig
before the opening of the nest, he sings her his best song, and while she
is sitting feeds her with as much zeal as pleasure. He is neither dull,
quiet, nor sleepy, like many other husbands, but always cheerful and
charming."
The building of the nest is the exclusive business of the female. She
works with her beak at the entrance till it satisfies her, and then,
more or less, at the interior, gnawing off little shreds, on which she
lays, in the space of two days, from four to eight small, round, shining
white eggs. She then sits for eighteen or twenty days most assiduously,
and during the whole time is fed by the male, never leaving the hole
except on the most urgent necessity. The young remain some thirty or
thirty-five days in the nest, and only quit it when fledged. During all
this time the mother is busily occupied in keeping their home clean, and,
like a good housewife, clears out her little chamber every morning, and
cleanses and purifies her offspring with extraordinary care. Immediately
after leaving the nest, the young go in search of food, and a few days
after conduct themselves quite like the old birds. Still, care must be
taken, for the before-mentioned zeal of the father is often shown in
an unexpected manner; he will fall upon his brood so boisterously, and
seize them with so much roughness, that he kills them by his caresses.
The first brood is no sooner fledged than the parents have a second, and
even a third and fourth; indeed, Schlegel, the director of the Zoological
Gardens at Breslau, declares that he has known them breed all the year
round. Such cases are exceptional; three broods, according to our own
observations, are the usual number. The last family of young may be left
with the parents without danger, and then the first brood may be brought
back. These show themselves to be quite as affectionate as their parents,
and feed and take care of the nestlings. Moreover, they will imitate each
other in everything--in climbing, flying, eating, and chattering--so that
the noise in the nursery often becomes quite deafening, and sometimes
seems to be too much even for the parents, who will then remove to a
distance to get out of the way.
[Illustration: THE CORELLA (_Nymphicus Novæ Hollandicæ_).]
A pair of Waved Parrots in our possession occupied a large cage, in which
they seemed very comfortable, but perhaps the bright sun, as it laughed
at them through the windows, made them sigh for freedom. One day the
female cleverly made her escape, and, before we discovered it, had flown
through the window. We now learned to admire this bird from another point
of view, as we watched its glorious flight, and may say with truth that
we forgot to feel angry at our loss. The fugitive rose high into the air,
and screamed with delight as it wheeled round and round with incomparable
rapidity over a neighbouring garden; it flew quite differently to any
parrot we ever saw--indeed, more like a falcon or a swallow, and was
soon out of sight, but in a few minutes reappeared in the garden,
apparently in consequence of the anxious cry of its mate, for we had at
once placed the latter near the window. The lovers of these birds know
that their tone is deceptively like that of our sparrows. It was the
height of summer, and all the roofs were covered with young sparrows,
who exhibited the greatest agitation as soon as the beautiful stranger
appeared. The parrot had placed itself upon a plum-tree near the window,
and from thence conversed with its mate. The young sparrows, who thought
that the enticing chirp was intended for them, ventured near in flocks,
regardless of the warnings and cautions of their elders, for though the
latter seemed astonished, they were far too old birds to be deceived,
and would not approach; the young ones, on the contrary, surrounded it
in crowds. It took not the slightest notice of them, but they were not
to be repulsed; they became most pressing in their attentions, hopped
quite close to it, looked at it with the greatest delight, and answered
its chirp with all their little strength. When it became angry and flew
off to another tree, the whole array followed, and it was only when
the stranger began to exhibit its splendid powers of flight, that the
sparrows were compelled to remain below abashed. This comedy lasted for
about half an hour, and the whole length and breadth of the garden was
filled with sparrows, when at last, love for its mate made the fugitive
return to its room; on this it was seized and put into the cage, where
it was most tenderly received by its companion, and the crowd outside
dispersed. In this country the Waved Parrots can be kept for whole weeks
out of doors. In the spring of 1861, two pairs of these birds flew
from a cage to the estate of a noted collector in Belgium; they betook
themselves to the tops of some high trees in a large park, and were lost
during some time. While they remained at large, as it afterwards proved,
they had made their nest, and reared a number of young ones. The owner
of the property surprised a whole flock of from ten to twelve in a field
of oats, where they were helping themselves; from that time they were
enticed with proper food, and before the winter ten birds were captured.
Unfortunately, it was impossible to observe those that were still at
liberty, as it would have been most interesting to learn if the strangers
could survive one of our winters.
[Illustration: THE GROUND PARRAKEET (_Pezoporinus formosus_).]