PARROTS 185 



The last representative of the family is a plain ashy-grey 

 bird (Chizaerhis concolor), the " Go-away" bird of the English, 

 and " Groote Muisvogel " (Big Mouse-bird) of the Boers, 

 which latter name is very appropriate as it is very much 

 like an overgrown mouse-bird. It has a long crest of 

 decomposed feathers. Length, about 18 inches. 



It inhabits Central and Northern South Africa south- 

 wards to Zululand, but is not found in Natal, the Cape 

 Province or Orange Free State. In the Pretoria District 

 along the Crocodile River, north of Hartebeest Poort, and 

 throughout the Bushveld, it is fairly common, uttering its 

 harsh cry of " guay, guay ! " whenever it is disturbed or 

 when going to roost in the evening. It is rather wild in that 

 region, consequently not easily shot. The natives are fond 

 of its flesh, which is dark and not bad eating when properly 

 cooked. 



PARROTS 



The Parrot Tribe (Psittaci) is very poorly represented in 

 South Africa. 



The best-known species is probably the Red-shouldered 

 Parrot (Poicephalus robustus), which is fairly dull coloured 

 and about the size of the ordinary Grey Parrot of talking 

 fame. The rump, upper tail coverts, lower breast and 

 belly are grass-green, and there is a vermilion band round 

 the edge of the wing. Length, 13| to 14 inches. 



It is found from Zuurberg in Cape Province to Mashona- 

 land. It is probably commonest in the Pirie Forest, near 

 Kingwilliamstown. 



These birds are gregarious in habits and denizens of the 

 thick bush and forest tracts. 



The Brown-headed Parrot (P. fuscicollis) is green all over 

 except the head and neck, which is grey tinged with yellowish. 

 Under wing coverts yellow. Length, about 9 inches. 



