THE AMAZON PARROTS. 99 



CHAP. XVI.— THE OEANGE-WINaED AMAZON. 



Psittacus amazonicus, L. 



Orange-winged Amazon Parrot (Ger., Venezuela- Amazone, Kurz- 

 Jlilgelpapagei mit grilneni Flugelhug, fdlschlich Gemeine 

 Amazone oder gar Neuholldnderpapagei; Fr., Perroquet 

 Amazone a ailes Oranges; Dut., Groenhoeg Amazone 

 Papegaai) — Characteristics and Talents. 



This species is mucli rarer in the market than that just treated, 

 and not nearly so much admired. It is found of the following 

 colours : The band on the forehead and the lores blue ; front 

 of the head and the cheek below the eye, as far as the beak, 

 yellow ; shoulders green, only yellow at the bend of the wing ; 

 central spot on the wing yellowish-red ; tail feathers at the base 

 orange-red ; the whole of the upper feathers green, the feathers 

 at the back of the neck with darker lines ; all the lower part of 

 the body light green, mingled on the breast with a little down ; 

 the beak is of a pale grey-yellow, with a dark-brown point, and 

 at the base of the upper beak is a yellow spot ; the eyes vary from 

 light yellow to vermilion ; feet brownish horn-grey. The hen is 

 said to have duller shades on the head. Size, somewhat less 

 than the Blue-fronted Amazon (length, IS^in. to 14^in. ; wings, 

 from Tin. to 7 Jin. ; tail, 3f in. to SAin.). All the birds of this 

 species which are imported appear to be the same in colour. 

 They are natives of the East of Brazil, where they live in 

 countless numbers in the forests on the coasts. Their food is 

 said to consist of all kinds of tree fruits, principally that of the 

 mangrove. They are described by the settlers as the worst 

 screamers of all the family. In order to obtain them young it 

 is often necessary to fell large trees with inaccessible branches. 

 In their native country they are called " Kurika," and are con- 

 sidered very teachable, and this is confirmed by Dr. Lazarus. If 

 this Amazon is less a favourite amongst us than the Blue-fronted 

 Amazon, the reason probably is that, even as a speaker, it does 

 not cease from harsh cries. 



They are mostly brought from Venezuela by the sailors in the 

 steamers. 



