Platycercus, Vgrs.

Distinguishing Marks - Natural History - Character in Captivity - Treatment - Capacity for Speech.

The Platycerci, or Flat-tailed Parrakeets, take a high position among the more splendidly plumaged parrots. It is only within the past fifteen years that they have been imported into Europe in considerable numbers and numerous species. From the first they met with a warm welcome, and they may be seen sometimes in bird houses among the small ornamental and song birds, and at others in couples, in cages, or in companies, in large aviaries. In addition to their beauty and attractiveness, many offer the advantage of being more or less easily bred; and at no distant date we may expect that all species will have proved themselves easy to breed. At the same time, the admiration which they excite is attended by many drawbacks - for example, the high price usually asked for them, and also their delicacy of constitution, which often manifests itself in the most puzzling-manner.

Their special distinguishing marks are as follows: The beak is strong, short, nearly always deeper than it is long, rounded off, and with shallow indentation, with short, usually sharply bent-back point, and very broad socket edge; the nostrils oblong, situate in a narrow cere, which is set with little hairs in front; the lores and eye cere covered with feathers; the wings pointed and long; tail broad, sharply graduated, each feather broad and rounded at the point; the feet of medium strength; the tongue thick, fleshy, smooth, blunt at the point - in many cases there is a faint depression at the front edge; plumage soft, in rare cases somewhat hard, without powdery down. Size, varying from that of a thrush to a crow.

They are distinguished from the other long-tailed parrots and parrakeets chiefly by being livelier and more active (only a, few of the larger are clumsy), by being able to run about on the ground more rapidly and skilfully, and by flying more gracefully, though they do not climb better. In contradistinction to the Noble Parrakeets, Conures, Thick-billed and Small-billed Parrakeets, they prefer to live on the ground, and seek their food chiefly from grass seeds, running quickly along the earth. Their home extends throughout Timor, Booru, Ceram, the Eastern Moluccas, New Guinea, Australia, Tasmania, the New Hebrides, New Caledonia, New Zealand, the Norfolk and Auckland Islands, and some groups of the South Sea, the Fiji, Friendly, and Society Islands; one species is also found on the Macquarie Islands, the most southerly point which parrots inhabit. Their nest, like that of other parrots, is said to be found in hollows in trees, especially the holes in the branches of the eucalyptus, and contains four to eight, or even twelve eggs; moreover, they are said to hatch several broods annually and consecutively. After the nesting season they usually unite in large flocks, each species separately, seldom several varieties together, and fly about seeking food. Besides grass-seeds, they are said to eat many species of fruits, honey, and insects. Flying about only in the twilight, they sit quietly throughout the day, but are uncommonly lively early in the morning and in the evening.

Many of the Flat-tailed Parrakeets cause considerable damage to the corn and other crops; and for this reason, as well as on account of the delicious quality of their flesh, they are keenly pursued for sport; but of late they have been more generally captured at the wells, etc, with large nets, for exportation to Europe.

In captivity, we are met at the outset by the difficulty already referred to - namely, that directly after importation they are exceedingly delicate, and die from the slightest ailment. This arises chiefly from their being (as I mentioned when speaking of the large parrots, on p. 8) so improperly treated - first, by the wholesale buyers abroad, and then during their voyage to Europe. If they arrive sound and healthy, are acclimatised according to the directions given on pp. 17 et seq., and are managed properly, they are amongst the hardiest of all cage-birds. Amateurs are emphatically warned against sudden changes in food or general treatment.

The newly-purchased Platycerci should at first be given only the food which has been recommended by the dealer. It consists entirely of seeds. Canary or hemp are usually the seeds found in the travelling cages of the newly-imported birds; and if to one of these the other be immediately added it may cause death. Only after they have been kept for weeks, and after one is fully convinced of the healthiness of the birds, should suitable seeds be given, and then in small, gradually increasing quantities; and it is desirable in this way to accustom them, like the Noble Parrakeets and the Conures, to a really varied seed diet. Green food, it is to be noted, may in particular be dangerous to the Platycerci; a very small piece is sufficient to make a freshly arrived bird very ill, and it may prove injurious or destructive to long acclimatised or even home-bred birds. Nevertheless, green food would appear to be a necessity, for they devour it with incredible eagerness. I have habituated my Flat-tailed Parrakeets to it, by giving very small, and then gradually increasing quantities, of tradescantia, mignonette, or chickweed, so that afterwards they could take it without stint. All other green food, especially salad, must be entirely avoided. Fresh branches of trees, particularly of the willow, are, however, very wholesome for them. For the rest, they may have - but, I must again repeat, in very gradually increasing quantities - biscuit or egg bread, fresh or dried ant-grubs; the last may be given in a mash of carrots, but only when they are about to breed; finally, some good fruit - good apples, sweet pears, cherries, or grapes, and service berries; but of these, with the exception of the last, only very little. I would recommend above all things, as most wholesome for the Platycerci, and, indeed, for parrots generally, fresh ears of corn or grass seeds in a milky state, or when quite ripe; the best are oats, millet, and canary seed. With such precautions the Platycerci prove extraordinarily hardy, for almost all - even the most delicate varieties - have thus been kept for a long time, and have even passed the winter in unheated rooms.

They do not appear to take high rank in intelligence - at least, they are far behind the Noble Parrakeets and Conures. However, they have not the shrill cry of these latter, though from their screeching they may become just as wearisome. Of late the talent for speech has in several varieties been proved, and for this reason they must find a place in this book. But even if every species of the Platycerci should prove to be gifted with speech, none of them would be found highly talented in that respect, for all, without exception, would only learn to chatter a few words. It is interesting, however, to find that this bird, of such splendid plumage and so easily bred, can be taught to speak; and for the breeder, as well, doubtless, as for the fancier, there will be a special charm in breeding all species of Flat-tailed Parrakeets, and training the young thus obtained to become talkers. Many species arrive in Europe without the adult plumage, and therefore recognisable as young birds, and these are quite as well suited for teaching to speak as home-bred birds. Here, of course, I can only describe those varieties which up to this time have been proved to be speakers.