268 SCANSORES. PSITTACID^. 



the descent of a flock upon it, but on proceeding to 

 the spot, though the eye has not wandered from it, 

 and we are therefore sure that they are there, we 

 cannot discover an individual. We go close to the 

 tree, but all is silent, and still as death ; we institute 

 a careful survey of every part with the eye, to 

 detect the slightest motion, or the form of a bird 

 among the leaves, but in vain ; we begin to think 

 that they have stolen off unperceived, but on throw- 

 ing a stone into the tree, a dozen throats burst 

 forth into cry, and as many green birds rush forth 

 upon the wing. 



The screaming of this and the following species 

 differs from that of the Parroquet, so far as to be 

 easily distinguished. That of the latter consists of 

 a series of harsh screeches, of comparative length; 

 that of the Parrots is less shrill, more broken into 

 short and rapid articulations, forming series of 

 varying length, separated by momentary pauses. 

 It is, in fact, much more like a hurried chat- 

 tering. 



In some specimens, the patch of bright scarlet 

 in the centre of the wing, is diminished to a slight 

 tinge on the edge, or even entirely wanting. This 

 is not a difference of sex, but probably of age. 



I cannot well identify our Black-bill with Latham's 

 " Jamaica Black-billed Green Parrot ;" he calls it 

 var. a of JEstivus, which it surely is not ; var. 8 

 agrees in other particulars. Ours seems, as it were, 

 made up of both descriptions. 



