214 PARROT. 



Linnaeus says, it inhabits Mascarin. Buffon derives his name 

 from the bird having a sort of mask round the bill ; and Brisson 

 described it from a caged bird, but knew not from whence it came. 



A. — In the Leverian Museum, was one, which appeared to be a 

 variety. It had the mask in front ; ground colour of the plumage 

 the same as in the other, but irregularly sprinkled throughout with 

 white feathers ; the tail part white, part brown, but not regular ; 

 some of the quill and tail feathers wholly white, but the opposites, 

 which should have answered them, were white and brown. It ap- 

 peared as a particular, and beautiful variety. 



147— ASH-BROWN PARROT. 



Psittacus fuscus, hid. Orn. i. 111. Gm. Lin. i. 333. Bris. iv. 314. Id. 8vo. ii. 128. 

 Blown Parrot, Gen. St/n.i. 266. 



LENGTH thirteen inches. The whole of the plumage plain 

 brownish ash-colour. 



Brisson saw this bird alive at Paris, but knew not whence it 

 came. Buffon mentions one, the size of the last, but it had neither 

 the black mask, nor was the base of the tail white, and which we 

 apprehend may be this very bird, but whether distinct in species, or 

 a variety, we will not venture to affirm. 



