The Dwarf Parrots (Agapornis) of Tanganyika

Abstract

Lovebirds", the English name by which these most attractive birds L are usually known, is a literal translation of their generic name. Agapornis, but I cannot think it an altogether happy one. For one thing it conveys an idea of maudlin sentiment-and to no birds is this less appropriate; for another, and more important, the name "lovebird" is to some extent pre-empted by the budgerigars, which are Australian. Other peoples' names for the Agapornis, Inseperable and Unzertrennlicher ("inseparable"), are not open to these objections.