ON THE AMERICAN PARROTS OE 



THE GENUS PIONUS. 



By R L. SCLATER, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S. 

 (Plates LXXX. & LXXXI.) 



In spite of what certain Indian criticizers may say, Dr. Finsch's ' Papageien ' 

 is, in my opinion, one of the best bits of ornithological work of the present 

 day ; and although it will no doubt be eventually superseded by a new 

 monograph, it will ever remain as the leading authority upon the subject up 

 to the time of its publication. Having constantly used Dr. Finsch's work for 

 the determination of the Parrots in the Zoological Society's Gardens during 

 the past ten years, I am able to bear good testimony as to its merits ; and I 

 may add a wish that we had many other ornithological monographs of the 

 same solid character. 



But our knowledge of the American avifauna has been much increased 

 recently ; and as regards the Parrots of the genus Pionus I am able to make 

 certain additions to what is given by Dr. Finsch in his work, from sources 

 that were not accessible to him ten years ago. 



In the first place, I consider that the genus Pionus (founded by Wagler 



