•^84 CLASS AVES. 



too, differs from Cook's and the Banksian principally iii 

 having the tail-band bulF-coloured, marked with numerous 

 black spots instead of bands. 



The Rose Cockatoo is palish-ash coloured ; the neck, the 

 body beneath, and the lower-coverts, are rose coloured ; the 

 crest is of the same colour, but of a lighter tint. This, to- 

 gether with the three species above named, is an inhabitant 

 of New Holland. 



In that comprehensive division of parrots with short, even 

 tails, and without a crest on the head, are included the two 

 well known species of the grey or ash-coloured parrot, P. 

 Erithacus, from Africa, and the Amazon^ or Green Parrot^ 

 and their numerous varieties. Many stories have been 

 told, and repeated usque ad nauseam, of the mar- 

 vellous deeds of these species supposed to be consequential 

 on their mental faculties ; indeed, most persons are in 

 possession of anecdotes, more or less wonderful, of particular 

 individuals of the species, which have fallen under their own 

 observation, or that of their friends — anecdotes, which too 

 often increase by repetition, till the true extent and character 

 of the original facts are lost. Parrots will certainly sometimes 

 repeat a word or a sentence, which circumstances may render 

 particularly apt and applicable, as monkeys will sometimes use 

 a gesture or an action strikingly human in its appearance ; but 

 a very slight acquaintance with these animals will convince 

 any reasonable person that these imitative or mechanical qua- 

 lities are not to be attributed to superior reason or sagacity ; 

 and, as much has been already said upon the subject, wc 

 shall not subjoin any repetition of thrice-told tales, or search 

 for others of a similar character, which, however amusing, 

 may be considered as destitute of instruction, and of equivocal 

 veracity. 



At the end of the Scansores, Cuvier has placed two analo- 

 gous genera, Corythaix and Musophaga, which by certain 



