Psittacus splendens, Pl.

Shining Parrakeet or Parrot, Fidji Parrakeet (Ger., Purpur-sittich, glanzender Purpursittich, Glanzsittich, Fidschisittich, rother Pompadoursittich, purpurrother Plattschweifsittich; Fr., Perruche pourpre de Fidji, Perruche pourpre brillante; Dut., Purper-roode Fidji-Parkiet) - Beauty and Rarity - Description - Habitat - Character in Captivity.

As described on page 237, the Platycerci belong to the most richly coloured and variegated of all parrots, and the Shining Parrakeets are further distinguished by the brilliancy of their plumage. On account of their rarity, as well as their beauty, they command extraordinarily high prices, and are only to be found in the possession of the wealthy or in the larger zoological gardens.

The Shining Parrakeet is crimson on the crown, back, and sides of the head, and on the sides of the neck; the back of the neck is marked with a broad blue band; the whole of the upper part of the body, the wing coverts, the rump and upper tail coverts dark grass-green; the primaries blue, the inner web edged with black; the secondaries blue at the base of the outer web, greenish-blue at the tip, the last green, all have a black edge on the inner web; quite black on the reverse side; the under wing coverts marine-blue; the tail feathers blue, with green edge at the base on the outer web, the two central ones green, with blue tip extending about one-third of their length; the whole of the under part of the body crimson; the beak bluish-black, the tip yellowish; eyes a light orange-red; feet blackish-brown; claws black. It is about the size of a crow (length, 16 7/8in. to 17 5/8in.; wings, 7 1/4in. to 9in.; central feathers of the tail, 7 1/4in. to 8 3/4in.; outermost tail feathers, 14 5/8in. to 5 1/4in.).

It is a native of the Fiji Islands, but only of the little group of Viti, where it is found on some islands. It was discovered by Peale in 1848, and was observed and described by Layard and Graffe. The Shining Parrakeets attract attention in the mangrove forests, not only by their brilliant colours, but, less agreeably, by their loud cries. They live chiefly in the forests. Their flight is heavy. They feed on berries and fruits, as well as seeds, and in some places do much damage to the crops of maize, etc. While engaged in plundering they keep strict silence, having become shy and cautious owing to the pursuit they are subject to. When danger threatens, one of them utters a warning cry, and the whole body fly rapidly to the wood, to hide in the thick tops of the trees. If molested there they hurry away with loud screams. But if the sportsman affects to pass by, they are easily deceived, and he may get within shot. Layard states that they have been kept in captivity in the Fiji Islands from time immemorial, for the purpose of supplying feathers as ornaments. When taken from the nest (the brood consists usually of three), they become exceedingly tame, and can without difficulty be taught to fly about freely and to return regularly to the cage in the evening.

This parrakeet has been imported alive several times since 1864, but always only singly or in pairs. In the year named it appeared in the Zoological Gardens in London, and afterwards in those of Amsterdam, Berlin, Hamburg, etc. It has been shown now and then at exhibitions, and was to be seen in the collections of Messrs. Wiener, Rittner-Bos, Blaauw, Scheuba, etc. The travellers tell us that it is gifted with speaking talent. A magnificent Shining Parrakeet which Miss C. Hagenbeck exhibited in the Ornis Exhibition, at Berlin, in 1880, was not only uncommonly tame, but a thorough good speaker. Rittner-Bos describes this species as awkward and clumsy in the cage : "With the exception of its gorgeous plumage, I have failed to find any pleasant qualities in it, nevertheless I believe that all these large parrakeets would develop a completely different character if they were kept in a large aviary, where they had room to fly about." Mr. Scheuba had a Red Shining Parrakeet which was so tame that it came voluntarily to perch upon the hand.