Psittacus garrulus, L.

Chattering Lory, Crimson Lory (Ger., Lori mit gelbem Rucken-fleclc, Gelhmantellori, Ceram-Lori, Breitschwanzlori mit gelbem Ruckenfleck; Fr., Perruche Lori de Ceram; Dut., Ceram Loeri) - Description.

The Ceram Lory was formerly rare in the trade, and only very recently has it been imported at all frequently. Although it is one of the birds longest known (mentioned by Clusius as early as 1605, described and named by Linne, and well drawn by Edwards, Brisson, &c), yet, until the present time, very different opinions have prevailed as to its talent. Buffon notices the difficulty which the Dutch had at first in bringing the bristled-tongued Parrots, and especially this species, alive to Europe.

The Ceram Lory is scarlet, with a splendid metallic lustre, and a triangular spot of deep lemon-yellow, set in green, upon the upper part of the back; the quills are green on the outer side, vermilion on the inner, about one-third, towards the point, black; the secondaries are black on the inner side, only being red at the base; the large upper coverts are olive-green; the bend of the wing lemon-yellow; the small coverts of the wing on the reverse side are also yellow; the tail is red, dark green at the tip; on the reverse side purplish-brown, and dull yellow at the end; all the under part of the body is uniform red, save that it is green about the thigh; the beak and the bare skin round it orange-red; the skin on the nose bluish-grey; eyes yellowish-brown, inclining to reddish-yellow; a bluish-red featherless circle round the eye; feet greyish-black; claws black. In this species also there appear variations, as the spot on the shoulder extends more or less, sometimes is a dull red, and is sometimes wanting; the tail green, shaded off to a bluish-black or quite blue. Size. nearly as large as the Black-bonnet Lory (length, 10 1/4in. to 11in.; wings, 5 1/8in. to 6 1/8in.; tail, 3 1/8in. to 4in.). It is a native of the north-easterly Moluccas.

Its rarity in the trade, in spite of the wide extent of its habitat, and the frequency with which it is stolen from the nest and brought up by hand, probably arises from the fact that it is a great favourite with the natives themselves, and often kept and traded in. The opinions of the more modern amateurs and bird connoisseurs will not in the meantime be the less interesting.

One of the most eminent among them, Mr. E. von Schlech-tendal, pronounced this species to be one of the worst of screamers, and of no great capability; but this judgment is opposed to that of Mr. A. E. Blaauw, who thus remarks: "Some years ago, I had a Ceram Lory which displayed considerable talent. First of all, it imitated all sounds which struck its fancy, learnt to say many words, and repeated them with a gentle voice, and, one might say, almost with comprehension, so fittingly did it apply them. It loved me passionately, and would become enraged if any stranger touched me while it sat on my shoulder. It would dash at the person, and bite and scream so that I had some difficulty in soothing it again. It could distinguish quite well whether the stranger touched my person, my chair, or anything near me - in the latter case it remained quiet. It was always excitable and violent, and any who approached it, or ventured on liberties, it punished by pecking at. Its voice had not the metallic sharpness of the other lories; but by force of ever repeating the same tone, it became, like them, unbearable. However, as soon as I took it out of the cage, it grew quiet. What it esteemed as the greatest treat was sugar and water, which it quickly lapped up with its long movable tongue."

Mr. Heer, of Striegau, described it in similar terms. "My Ceram Lory," he said, "gives me much pleasure. It is exceedingly lively, and chatters continually; when it is silent it likes to hang by the feet from the perch, so that its body swings downwards. Although I often hold it unrestrained on my finger at the open window, and, though it can fly well, it never occurs to it to escape. I never before had so tame a bird. It eats moistened Vienna roll with sugar, and is passionately fond of sugar and water. It takes especial pleasure in creeping between my coat and vest."

Mr. Scheuba thinks that the incapacity of learning which the Ceram Lory shows in comparison with the others is due to the great attention which it pays to its surroundings; it is never silent, and is always screaming, though not very shrilly. "Mine is large, healthy, and rather impetuous. It does not do much in the way of talking, for it only says the often-heard word, 'Wait, wait'; but this is probably caused by its having made friends with a Black-bonnet Lory, so that the two heed nothing else but one another, and converse continually in their natural cries. If I put them together they show infinite affection towards each other, but I am obliged to put a speedy end to the association, for the rough, violent Ceram so sets upon the weaker Black-bonnet, that the latter is obliged to fly from its overwhelming caresses. The former takes little pleasure in human society. Casually I may here remark that it has several times laid eggs in its cage."

Mr. C. Linden informs us that a lory of this species in his possession pipes prettily.