THE PIONINJE, OR LONG-WINGED PARROTS. 121 



Their distinguishing marks are — the beak strong, longer than 

 deep, somewhat compressed, with a long, overhanging point, 

 mostly clearly cut, with a much-bent, sharp-edged ridge, distinctly 

 furrowed ; the lower mandible is of the same depth, with a 

 broader, more rounded socket-edge, and the rims hollowed ; 

 the tongue is thick, fleshy, broad, and ending abruptly ; the 

 nostrils are open, rounded ; the cere is either set with single 

 bristles or feathered all over ; eye cere white ; the lores are 

 feathered ; the wings are long, pointed, more than twice as 

 long as the tail ; the latter is broad, straight, shaped at 

 the end like a bracket, rarely rounded off ; the feet are 

 strong, short, with powerful, much-bent claws ; the plumage soft, 

 inclining to firmness, consisting of broad feathers, taking in 

 many species the shape of scales on the head and neck ; no 

 powdery down ; the prevailing colour is green ; no central spot 

 in the wings ; the body is short, thick, and compact. Size, 

 about that of a crow or starling. 



The Long-winged Parrots are more widespread than any 

 other, for they appear in Asia, Africa, and America. Unfortu- 

 nately, we have as yet but little information concerning their 

 mode of life in freedom ; we only know that they inhabit trees 

 preferably, and, except at brooding time, live gregariously, and 

 in large flocks attack and do much harm to the useful crops, 

 feed upon fruits and all kinds of seeds, and, like most of the 

 parrots, build in trees. 



The dealers import only one species — the Small Senegal Parrot 

 — regularly and in great numbers ; all the others come singl}'' 

 and by chance. The Pioninse, which, however, are chiefly to be 

 regarded as ornamental birds, have found in Mr. von Schleth- 

 tendal, State Councillor, of Merseburg, and in the university 

 bookseller, Mr. Fiedler, of Agram, sympathetic observers and 

 friends. I have myself, in the course of years, kept a consider- 

 able number of them. Immediately after importation they are, 

 as a rule, very weak ; but as soon as they have recovered from 

 the effects of the bad treatment they receive on the way, they 

 in almost every case show themselves to be strong and hardy ; 

 yet they do not appear to live as long as other parrots. Most 

 of them are quiet birds, which move but little, soon become 

 tame and affectionate, but from time to time scream most in- 

 sufferably. Some of the smaller species are exceedingly gentle 

 and lovable, and, moreover, never utter a disagreeable note. 

 On the whole, they cannot be accounted favourites, because 



