Psittacus Barrabandi, Russ. Synonyms: Polytelis Barrabandi, Gld., Wgl.; Paloeornis Barrabandi, Vgrs., Slb.; Paloeornis rosaceus, Platysercus rosaceus, Gr.;

BARRABANDS PARRAKEET.

Barrabandius rosaceus, Bp.

German: Der Schildsittich.

PLACED by Selby, in Jardine's Naturalist's Library, at the head of the genus Paloeornis, Barraband's Parrakeet, named after the French ornithological painter, has no claim whatever to be so classed, being much more nearly related to the Platycerci, although the tail with which it has been endowed by nature is considerably longer than that of most of the members of the Broad-tailed sub-family, which, with some other peculiarities, seems to connect it rather with that subdivision of the honey-eaters to which the Paradise and Many-coloured Parrakeets belong: so apparent, indeed, is the difference that Wagler constituted it a genus by itself, to which he gave the name of Polytelis.

It is a tolerably large bird, measuring about fifteen inches in length, eight of which belong to the tail. The general colour of the plumage is a rich deep shade of green; the forehead, lower part of the face, and the throat are citron yellow, a broad band of deep scarlet red encircles the lower part of the neck, extending down to the breast, and the flight feathers of the wings are blue; the eye is red, and the lores, or spaces between the eyes and the ear coverts, are bright green; the beak is red, and the legs, which are much longer than those of any of the true Paloeornes, are black.

The female is quite green without the yellow ring, or red shield.

To the inhabitants of New South Wales, of which colony they are natives, these birds are known by the name of " Green Leek", and concerning them, a recent writer observes, "As cage pets they are very much attached to their owners and to each other, and become both demonstrative and noisy in exhibiting affection", although in the next paragraph but one, on the same page, he also says, "Green Leeks do not show any strong affection one for the other", which is surely somewhat inconsistent.

The same author concludes his chapter on Barraband's Parrot with the following recommendation: - "The treatment of the Green Leek should be the same as that of the Ring-necked."

Mr. Wiener, on the other hand, with more exactness, remarks, "This Parrakeet is said to live on the bloom of the wattle shrub during part of the year, but he does not appear to be quite as delicate as the Paradise or Many-coloured, although I have gathered costly experience by seeing Barrabands fall in fits from their perches for very trivial causes."

Dr. Buss, whose intimate knowledge of the subject is second to none, advises the Barraband to be fed on hemp-seed, fresh ants' eggs, mealworms, and egg food; while Mr. Wiener fed his on canary-seed, millet in the ear, and groundsel: be that as it may, we believe that insect food of some kind is indispensable, and prefer fresh ants' eggs, when obtainable, to any other; failing these, however, we give a preference to mealworms, about a dozen daily for each bird, and a piece of sponge cake a day old: on this diet a Barraband will live for some years, varying the bill of fare now and then with boiled rice, sweetened with Jamaica or Mauritius sugar, bruised figs, or even currants soaked; and any kind of flowers, such as cabbage blooms, mignonette, pea and bean blossoms, and so on; but if attempted to be kept on the food suitable for a Ring-necked Parrakeet, the chances are the poor birds would very soon have fits, which means either death, or, which is almost worse, paralysis.

Although difficult to keep on the score of food, the Barraband is not very susceptible to climatic influences, but, on the contrary, is able to stand a very low temperature with perfect impunity.

So far none of these birds have been bred in captivity, either here or on the continent, nor are we even aware of any cases of egg production among them.

On the whole, we can scarcely recommend the tyro in Parrot keeping to invest his money in Barrabands, which are by no means common, and, when imported, usually fetch from £3 to £4 each in the market. That they are handsome and elegant birds, the male especially, no one will attempt to deny, but enough has been said to show that they are even more difficult to preserve than the Purple-cap or Blue Mountain Lory.

"A constant supply of green food and a great variety of seeds" are suggested by Mr. Wiener as a preventive of fits, to which an unsuitable regimen predisposes them; to which recommendation we may add insect food, and honey, or figs, crashed into a pulp, and slightly moistened, of which these birds appear to be passionately fond.

They are not cleanly in their habits, and require a large well-sanded cage, but thrive better in an out-door aviary, where they should not be trusted with other birds smaller and weaker than themselves; for, although some individuals of the species are mild and peaceable, others, and we might say most of them, are treacherous and spiteful, sidling up to an unsuspecting bird that is quietly enjoying a siesta, and nipping it by the leg, which is generally broken, but occasionally cut clean off.

They are common enough in the interior of New South Wales, and are not unfrequently caged in that country by the colonists, although they make poor talkers, but the difficulty of preserving them through the voyage, renders them always scarce in this country.

Selby and Jardine's account of this bird, written many years ago, is so interesting, and, in parts, so really amusing, that we are tempted to quote a portion of it here. - "In this handsome bird we have one of those interesting forms which so beautifully connect groups, otherwise distant and far removed: for though the character and shape of the tail, the well-defined ring or neck-collar, the proportions of the wings, etc., evidently place it in this genus (Paloeomis), its elevated tarsi and feet {sic) shew an approach to the Broad-tailed Division (Platycercinoe), which stands at the further extremity of the Psittacean family. It is also a native of New Holland, in which interesting country so many species of Platycercus have been discovered, the rest of the Ring Par-rakeets, being the greater part of them natives of Continental India, and its neighbouring islands.........It (the Barraband) was first figured by Mr. Swainson, in his elegant and valuable Illustrations, under the name of Psittacus Barrabandi, from a skin in the possession of Mr.

Leadbeater.........Judging from the proportion of its legs and feet, we are led to suppose that it is more terrestrial in its habits than its congeners, or that, in addition to its scansorial or grasping powers, it possesses superior activity, and moves with greater facility upon the ground."

Which is actually the case, and shows what correct deductions may be adduced, by an experienced observer, even when the conclusion arrived at is not the true one, from analogies that would, doubtless, have escaped the notice of persons less used to exercise their reasoning powers.

Our authors continue, "By Wagler this bird was removed from the genus Paloeornis, and constitutes his genus Polytelis; but as the only character upon which it is established consists in the slight elongation and slenderness of the tarsi and toes, we have retained it among the Ring Parrakeets, where it was first placed by Vigors, and of which group it may be considered a slightly aberrant form."

We are utterly opposed to an unnecessary multiplication of species, but in this case it seems desirable to class the bird under consideration by itself; it is not a Paloeornis, nor a Platycercus, though it stands about midway between the two, and, if only it were a honey-eater, might be readily placed among the Lories, or rather the Trichoglossean group of that family, to which it bears a certain outward resemblance: it is said to partially live upon the blossoms of the gum trees in its native land, but until this statement is confirmed by actual observation in its haunts, it will be better to leave the question of its natural diet open, and feed it as recommended by Mr. Wiener and Dr. Buss, rather than "like the Ring-necked Parrakeet", as advised by another writer.

It is much to be deplored that so little unanimity of opinion as regards the habits, and even the names, of birds should obtain among authors; but as the different species get to be better known, which can only happen when a number of connoisseurs have possessed, and studied them intimately in their aviaries and bird-rooms, many points that are now obscure will be cleared up, slight differences be recognised, and fancied resemblances differentiated, and the study of Natural History rendered a pleasure instead of a serious task to the tyro, as it is at present.