A perch for posterity

An extinct Australian parrot, last seen alive 80 years ago, has reared its brightly plumed head at Aberdeen University. The zoology museum has taken charge of a case of mounted Australian birds, one of which is the extinct Paradise Parrot, Psephotus pulcherrimus . Michael Middleton donated the birds, which had been in his family for 50 years, after their case developed woodworm. Martyn Gorman, the museum's honorary curator, said: "We hope that our parrot will help educate people about the need for conservation of wildlife. One wonders what other treasures there are in people's homes."