76 



THE BLUE-FACED PARROT. 



Psittacus autumnalis, Linn.eus ; Le Cnc\ & tete bleue, BurpoN ; Der Hirbst- 

 krickpapagey, Bechstein. 



This is about the size of a pigeon. The beak is horn colour, 

 with a long streak of orange on each side of the upper mandible ; 

 the whole circle of the head and the throat are blue ; the top 

 of the head and under part of the neck to the breast aie, red ; 

 the rest of the body is green, except the large quill-feathers, 

 wliich are blue ; some, however, are red, with a blue tip. 



Varieties. — 1. The head, instead of being red and blue, is red 

 and white. 



2. The forehead scarlet, the top of the head blue, an orange 

 spot under the eyes, the upper border of the wings light yellow. 



3. Forehead and throat red behind, and under the eyes blue, 

 the top of the head greenish yellow, the lower border of the 

 wings red, the end of the tail pale light yallow. 



4. All the body blackish except the breast, the feathers of 

 which are edged with dark brown and red. 



Observations These birds, inhabit Guinea, learn very little, and coi> 



tinually cry '•'• guirr, guirr.''^ 



COMMON AMAZON PARROT. 



Psittacus aestivus, Linn^us ; Der gemeine Amazonenpapagey, Bechstein. 



This species is imported in so great numbers that it is found 

 at every bird-seller s, and is one of the cheapest. Its varieties 

 are numerous. The following are the general colours : beak 

 blackish ; feet ash-coloured ; iris golden yellow ; forehead 

 bluish, as well as the space between the eyes ; head and threat 

 yellow, but the throat-feathers are edged with a blue gi-een ; 

 the body a brilliant green, inclining to yellowish on the back 

 and belly. 



This bird is common in the hottest parts of America, learns 

 to speak, is very docile, sociable, and requh'es only common 

 attention. 



