PATAGONIAN PARROT 27 
beak is very strong, and yellowish green in colour ; 
the irides ruby-red, the eyelids scarlet. 
In Colombia this Cuckoo is said to be called 
Pajaro ardilla (Squirrel-bird), from its chestnut tint. 
It seems to feed chiefly, if not altogether, on the 
ground, and when perched always appears awkward 
and ill at ease. On a branch it sits motionless, until 
approached, and then creeps away through the leaves 
and escapes on the opposite side of the tree. This, 
however, is a habit common to most Cuckoos. Its. 
language is a loud screaming cry, on account of which 
the Brazilians call it Alma do gato, implying that it 
possesses the soul of a cat. It is a very shy retiring 
bird, and in this respect is more like a Coccyzus than 
"a Guira. 
For these facts we are indebted to Leotaud, Frager, 
Forbes, White, and others; each of these observers 
having contributed a few words to a history of this 
interesting bird’s habits. 
PATAGONIAN PARROT 
Conurus patagonus 
Above dark olive-green ; wings edged with bluish ; lower part of 
back yellow; beneath olive-green, darkest on throat; whitish band 
across the neck; belly yellow, with patch in the middle and thighs 
dark crimson ; length 18, wing 9.2, tail 10.5 inches. Female similar. 
Tuts Parrot, called in La Plata the Bank- or Bur- 
rowing-Parrot, from its nesting-habits, is the only 
member of its order found so far south as Patagonia. 
