Psittacus Lathami, Fnsch.

Cochin China Parrakeet (Ger., Roth-und schwarzschnabeliger Edelsittich mit rother Brust, Latham's rosenbrustiger Edel-sittich blos Latham's Edelsittich, Kochinchinasittich, Bartsittich, Schnurrbartsittich, Rosenringsittich (!); Fr., Perruche a bavette rose, Perruche de Pondicherry, Perruche a moustaches; Dut., Latham's Alexander Parkiet, Zwartkeel Edelparkiet) - Distinctive Marks - Habitat - Rarely Imported - Hardiness.

This species strongly resembles the preceding, and can only be distinguished from it by the following marks : The band on the forehead is broader; the lores and the large spot on the chin black; the whole of the upper part of the head and the cheeks light bluish-grey, the latter edged toward the back with a dull rose-colour; the nape of the neck a brilliant grass-green; a large olive-greenish yellow spot on the shoulder; the wing coverts yellowish-green; all the rest of the upper part of the body olive-yellowish green; the throat and breast, as far as the beginning of the belly, pale rose-colour; the rest of the under part of the body bluish yellow-green; the upper mandible red; the under mandible black; the eyes bright yellow; the feet blackish-grey; the claws black. It is scarcely perceptibly larger in size than the preceding (length, 13 1/4in. to 14 1/4in.; wings, 6 1/8in. to 6 3/8in.; the longest feathers in the tail, 6 1/4in. to 6 3/4in.; the outer feathers of the tail, 5 1/8in. to 5 1/4in.).

It is found throughout the whole of India as far as Penang, and is also said to be met with in Cochin China. In the lower provinces of Bengal, flocks of these birds occasion great damage to the crops, especially in the rice fields. The young birds which are taken from the nest and brought up by hand are, like the Javan Alexandrine Parrakeet, greatly prized in their native country as cage birds. They, however, come but seldom to us. Several attempts made at breeding have proved unsuccessful. This species is found very hardy in zoological gardens, and it may be inferred that others would be equally so.