Psittacus aureus, Gml.

Half-moon Parrakeet (Ger., Orangestirniger Keilschwanzsittich, Hatbmondsittich, Goldstirnsittich, Goldstirne; Fr., Perruche bcuton d'or, Perruche a front jaune, Perruche couronnee; Dut., Halve-maan Parkiet of Oranjevoorhoofd Parkiet) - De-scription - Habitat - Familiarly Known - Value as a Speaker.

A slender, pretty parrakeet, which appears to us a charming creature, though the peculiar dull character of the Conures makes it seem less engaging than it really is.

The Half-moon Parrakeet is marked in the following manner: Forehead, front of the head, and eye cere, orange-yellow, inclining to a deep orange-red; the lores and the middle of the head a dull blue; the back of the head and the part round the eye and ear green, fading to a bluish shade; all the rest of the upper part of the body grass-green, with a yellowish tinge; the hinder part of the back and the rump a clear yellowish-green; the wings green, the tips black, with a blue spot on the outer web, and a greyish-yellow edge on the inner web, the reverse side a shining yellowish-grey; the small under coverts of the wing greenish-yellow; the reverse side of the tail blackish-grey; the cheeks and throat a grey brownish-green, inclining to a brownish-yellow grey; the lower part of the throat and all the rest of the under parts of the body greenish-yellow, inclining to orange-yellow on the breast and the middle of the belly; the beak brownish-black; cere blackish; eyes grey, orange-yellow, or reddish-brown; a narrow, greyish-brown, featherless circle round the eye; the feet blackish-brown; claws black. Size, that of a thrush (length, llin.; wings, 5 1/4in. to Gin.; longest feathers in the tail, 4 1/4in. to 5 1/8in.; outermost feathers of the tail, 2 1/2in. to 2 7/8in.).

GOLDEN-CROWNED CONURE. (Psittacus aureus).

In its native habitat (South America) it is found over a large tract of country, from Paraguay and Bolivia to Guiana and Surinam, and is exceedingly numerous. Travellers, in particular Prince Wied, and also Natterer, mention as its home the steppes and smaller woods in the neighbourhood of the coast, but not the primeval forest.

It was described by old Markgraf in 1648, then mentioned by Brisson in 1760, scientifically named by Gmelin in 1788, and is among the most anciently known of the parrots, as well as being one of the earliest to be imported alive. Buffon spoke in praise of the Golden-crowned Conure (which, however, he wrongly subdivided into two varieties), as being clever, engaging, and an excellent speaker.

In the present day this species is one of the commonest objects in the market, and is a favourite for the aviary and ornamental cages, although its shrill cry is wearisome; but in this respect it is by no means so disagreeable as its congeners. This parrakeet is also very hardy, unless, of course, it be sickly when bought. The majority of those imported are young birds, which are at first very delicate. The breeding of this variety has been attended, at least in one instance, with success, for Mr. C. Wenzel, a tradesman, of Danzig, has reared some young ones which have become fully fledged.

It is interesting as being one of the best speakers among the Conures, as will be seen from two descriptions from which I will quote. Mr. Schneider, master of the grammar school at Wittstock, states that he had a very tame Half-moon Parrakeet which could whistle, sneeze, and the like, and said some words, such as "Ara," "Papa," etc. The accounts given by Dr. Stolker, of St. Fiden, are extremely interesting. This ornithologist received a Half-moon Parrakeet in a miserable state, but it soon recovered, and began, when fed, to cry, "Please! please!" if it wished for fruit or the like. Then it learnt the words, "That is good, very good!' and, "Good day! how do you do ? " - "Well, very well." If Dr. Stolker asked the question, the parrakeet answered as above. Afterwards it learnt to say, " Good night, doctor!" the names "Marie," "Julie," and "Leo," and "Well! Biiberli, where are you ?' At the same time it would try to bite the forefinger, if held out to it, so that one had to take care when feeding it, and if scolded it cried out angrily, "Go away! Just wait, you rascal, I'll come to you!" Another time it would ask, "What are you doing? " and call out "Come down! ' It could laugh and sneeze, and when it did the latter it courteously wished itself "Good health!' "It rejoiced greatly at my return after a lengthened absence, and in its delight chattered most comical gibberish. But with all its affection and drollness, it uttered sometimes a most intolerable scream, and was so obstinate that it could not be silenced with threats. It occasionally interrupted itself in a comical manner by exclaiming, 'Be quiet!' and in this way it now and then admonished me if I made a noise by whistling or otherwise. If I sang or whistled something to it, it stretched itself to the utmost, and stepped gravely and with erected plumage up and down the perch, as if dancing, uttering now and then a whistle or cry. It had not accomplished much in the way of singing; it tried the tunes 'Kommt a Vogerl' geflogen,' and 'e Briefle auf mei Fuss!' It would rest at night suspended from the wire. Its diet consisted of seeds only - millet, canary seed, oats, and sunflower seeds - with a little whey cheese, turnip, or fruit, and with this it seemed to thrive well. It never spoke in the presence of strangers. If my own cat came into the room it took no notice, but would greet a strange one with a cackling cry. I might here remark incidentally that another Half-moon Parrakeet, owned by a friend of mine, also learnt to speak very well."

A bird of this species in my own possession became tame without any trouble on my part, and when I went into the aviary would fly at once on to my shoulder or climb upon my outstretched finger. It may, I think, take precedence of all its congeners in teachableness and gentleness. It is usually sold in couples.