PATAGONIAN PARROT 37 



beak is very strong, and yellowish green in colour ; 

 the irides ruby-red, the eyelids scarlet. 



In Colombia this Cuckoo is said to be called 

 PAjaro ardilla (Squirrel-bird), from its chestnut tint. 

 It seems to feed chiefly, if not altogether, on the 

 ground, and when perched always appears awkward 

 and ill at ease. On a branch it sits motionless, until 

 approached, and then creeps away through the leaves 

 and escapes on the opposite side of the tree. This, 

 however, is a habit common to most Cuckoos^. Its 

 language is a loud screaming cry, on account of which 

 the Brazilians call it Alma do goto, implying that it 

 possesses the soul of a cat. It is a very shy retiring 

 bird, and in this respect is more like a Coccyzus than 

 a Guira. 



For these facts we are indebted to Leotaud, Fraser, 

 Forbes, White, and others ; each of these observers 

 having contributed a few words to a history of this 

 interesting bird's habits. 



PATAGONIAN PARROT 



Conurus patagonus 



Above dark olive-green ; wings edged with bluish ; lower part of 

 back yellow ; beneath olive-green, darkest on throat ; whitish band 

 across the neck; belly yellow, with patch in the middle and thighs 

 dark crimson ; length i8, wing g^, tail 10.3 inches. Female similar. 



This Parrot, called in La Plata the Bank- or Bur- 

 rowing-Parrot, from its nesting-habits, is the only 

 member of its order found so far south as Patagonia. 



