45



being able to pronounce on the bird’s capabilities as a talker, or

its recommendations as a pet. But if it be true that a hen shot

when adult yet learned to talk, I should say the species must have

latent talking powers of no mean order. I tried to find out how

the male and female birds were distinguished, but have had no

answer. The British Museum Catalogue describes them as alike.

Considering how very unlikely it is that any of my readers

should be able to acquire a specimen, it may be doubted if it is

worth while for me to give a description ; but it is larger than the

Mealy Amazon, and the handsomest I have seen. The prevailing

colour is brown, shading into yellow. The forehead is white,

the back of the head blue. The red in an ordinary Amazon’s

wing is replaced by orange, and the wings are partly blue ; in

fact, it is the only Amazon which is a brown rather than a green

bird. The beak is white.


As to augusta, the Zoological Gardens, according to its

1883 Bist, appear only to have had one ; and never a bouqueti, so

it is not surprising that I should not have seen one.


There remain, then, C. farinosa, and C. inornata. These

are only to be distinguished by the yellow spot on the head of

farinosa. They are almost entirely green, larger than the Double-

fronted, and quite unmistakable from the powdery appearance

of their feathers—to which fa? r i?iosa owes its name. I see so little

difference between them that it is difficult to think they can be

two species. I kept two : I think one of each kind—but I found

them very unattractive. They were noisy, and though not wild,

would not learn a word. Of course, a species cannot be judged

by two specimens, both of which may have been hens ; and Dr.

Russ, though giving them a bad character for screaming, says

they are among the most talented. As the other larger parrots,

the Double-fronted and Golden-naped for instance, are amongst

the best talkers, it may be very possible that I chanced on two

hens. I was offered one once, which was said to be an excellent

talker, but I think I could not have it on approval; I know

there was some sufficient reason for my not buying it. Still, if

anyone has the chance of buying one, and is not siire that it is a

good talker, I would not advise his giving more than £2 for it;

I gave that for mine, and found it dear at the money.



Since writing the above, I have heard from my correspon¬

dent in St. Vincent. He writes :



“ My son says that the male-bird (of guildingi ) is less



