THE WEDGE-TAILED PARBAKEETS. 217 

 CHAP. XOI.— THE YELLOW CONUEE. 



Psittacus solstitialis, L. 



Solstitian Parralceet (Ger., Sonnensittich, Sonnenwendesittich, 

 Orangegelher Keilschwanzsittich, Kessisittich ; Fr., Perruche 

 soleil, Perruche jauiie ; Dat., Oranjegeele ParJciet) — Rarity — 

 Description — Habitat — Domestic Character. 



This is among the most beautiful of the talking parrakeets ; 

 but it is to be regretted that, though it extends over a large 

 tract of country and is found in great numbers, it is extremely 

 rare and seldom imported alive. It was named scientifically 

 by Linne. 



Its plumage throughout is lemon-yellow ; the eye cere, the 

 cheeks, and the part round the ear, reddish orange-yellow ; 

 the rump and upper coverts of the tail pure yellow ; the 

 primaries green at the base on the outer web, the tip half 

 blue, the tip and the inner web black, with a yellow spot 

 at the end, the secondaries blue, the inner web black, with 

 a yellow spot at the end ; all the wing feathers are blackish- 

 grey on the reverse side ; the coverts of the primaries deep blue, 

 the inner web black with a yellow spot at the end ; the tail 

 feathers olive-green, about one third from the tip blue, the 

 outermost blue on the whole of the outer web, the centre ones 

 yellowish-green at the basal half ; all on the reverse side a 

 greenish-yellow grey ; the breast and belly reddish orange- 

 yellow ; the beak dark brownish horn-grey ; eyes orange-red ; 

 narrow featherless eye cere reddish flesh-colour ; feet brownish 

 horn-grey ; claws black. Size, somewhat less than that of the 

 Carolina Parrakeet (length, 12iin. ; wings, 5Jin. to G^in. ; 

 longest feathers in the tail, 4 jin. to 6|-in. ; outermost tail 

 feathers, 2|in. to oin.). 



It is a native of South America, from the Amazon Eiver to 

 the Orinoko. The travellers, Natterer and Burmeister, fre- 

 quently shot it, yet they give no information as regards its life 

 in freedom. This, however, is described by the brothers 

 Schomburgk, who saw it in large flocks at the foot of Mount 

 Mairari. on the borders of Venezuela and Brazil, and on the 

 Mahu Eiver. In the latter locality (where they are called 

 Kessi-Kessi) they attracted attention by loud resounding cries. 

 This bird, which is a special favourite with the natives. 



