Psittacusatricapillus, Wgl.

Black-bonnet Lory, Blue-headed Lory, Purple-capped Lory (Ger., Violetikdppiger Lori, Schwarzkopfiger Lori, Schwarz-kappenlori, Schwarzstirniger Frauenlori, Erzlori, Schwarz-kappiger Breitschwanzlori; Fr., Perruche Lori a calotte noir, Lori a collier; Dut., Purperzwartkop Loeri) - Distinguishing Marks - Domestic Qualities.

This parrot is peculiarly beautiful, and ranks high among the bristled-tongued species, for it is one of the most talented and longest known. It was described by Seba as early as 1734, and drawn first by Edwards and then by Brisson; but Wagler, in 1832, was the first to give it the proper scientific name.

It is deep black on the forehead and crown of the head; on the back of the head there is a scarcely noticeable tuft of longer violet-black feathers; the lores, sides of the head, throat, and neck are dark carmine; the shoulders, back, upper coverts of the wings, and tail, a lighter blood-red; the wings a dark grass-green; shoulders a yellowish-brown; quills green, inner web yellow, the points black; the reverse side of the wing blackish-grey, with broad, yellow, transverse stripes; the bend and the small under coverts of the wings dark-blue; tail carmine-red, and broad purplish-brown bordered at the tip; the tail, on the reverse side, somewhat lighter; all the under part of the body a pale carmine; a bright-yellow spot on the breast; the thigh blue; the beak orange-red; the cere blackish; the eyes brown, brownish-yellow, inclining to yellowish-red, with a narrow light-yellow ring round the pupil; a featherless blackish circle round the eye; the feet blackish-grey; claws black. (The spot on the breast is sometimes only dappled red and yellow, and is often completely wanting, the green wings are sometimes spotted with yellow, the hinder part of the back is greenish-yellow, and other variations occur). Size, about that of a jackdaw (length, 10 5/8in. to 11 5/8in.; wings, 5 7/8in. to 6 3/4in.; tail, 3 5/8in. to 4 1/4in.). As far as we know at present, it is indigenous only to Ceram and Amboyna.

Although scarcely anything is known of its life in freedom, yet we have detailed information as to its existence in captivity. According to the account of Dr. E. von Martens, they are brought from Ceram or Amboyna to Java, and then to Europe, and bear the first part of the journey well, but not the latter part. Of late the wholesale dealers have had them sent over direct.

Buffon speaks of it as a cage bird, and praises it as being affectionate and eminently talented. He says it learns to speak more easily and more clearly than any others of the lories, but that it is delicate and hard to keep. Bechstein speaks in similar terms. According to him, it is even said to be "the most teachable, tamest, most pleasing, and affectionate of all parrots. It talks constantly, but thickly, like a ventriloquist, imitates, with a clear pipe, whatever is whistled to it, and always wants to be noticed and petted, as well as tended and cared for. All its movements are hasty."

In these words we have a true description of the bristled-tongued Parrots, and the facts established by the experiences of many enthusiastic amateurs confirm the statements of the older writers, with this exception, however, that by no means all lories belong to the most talented and best speakers. Like the rest, the Black-bonnet Lory is able to learn to repeat a few words or even sentences, which it brings out quickly and hurriedly, with a clear high voice. Although one of the best-known objects of the bird-shop, yet it is by no means common, but is only imported singly now and then. Being a peculiarly ornamental bird, it is often found in the possession of persons of position, and is usually a great favourite. Many of them, however, render themselves intolerable by their incurable screaming, though their cry is not so shrill as that of their congeners, but sounds more like piping. In several cases it has lived for many years in a cage. Thus the Black-bonnet Lory belonging to the Princess Charles of Prussia, which, after her death, was in the possession of the Prince, must have lived about twenty years in the cage.

As regards diet, I must refer to my Introduction, and will only add that this is one of the lories which are most difficult to accustom to seed.