THE VAZA PARRAKEET. 249 



author, which seems to differ in httle else than its 

 smaller size, some partial variations in the gloss result- 

 ing from the incidence of light upon different parts, and 

 the less horny appearance of the bill ; characters of 

 little importance and such as may fairly be supposed to 

 arise from difference in age, sex, climate or season. In 

 some respects the Society's bird appears to be interme- 

 diate between the two. Its length is about eighteen 

 inches, while that of the Grand Vaza is stated by Le 

 Vaillant to be twenty-one, and that of the Petit Vaza 

 thirteen or fourteen. Its native country is unquestion- 

 ably Madagascar, whence it was sent by Mr. Telfair ; 

 and this agrees with the habitat assigned to the last- 

 named bird, the other supposed species being stated to 

 inhabit South Africa. But its hues assimilate most 

 closely with those of the larger bird. Like it the 

 Society's specimen has its plumage entirely of a sooty 

 black, with a lighter shade of grayish slate passing over 

 it when held in a strong light ; its tail, broad and even 

 at the extremity, is as long as the body ; its wings, 

 when closed, do not reach above a third part of the 

 length of its tail ; and its large bill, together with the 

 cere at its base, are of a dusky horn-colour. The nar- 

 row naked spaces surrounding the eyes are white ; the 

 irides dusky ; and the legs and claws black. 



In a smaller specimen, which has lately been added 

 to the Society's Collection, the circle round the eye is 

 less distinctly marked, and has a dusky tinge ; the cere 

 is almost black ; and the bill is of a very pale flesh- 

 colour, dusky only at the tip and on the edges. This 

 may be the Petit Vaza of M. Le Vaillant; but if so, 

 our doubts of the specific distinction between the two 

 birds would be increased, and we should entertain a 

 strong belief of their identity. 



