PARROT. 245 



yellow ; lesser wing coverts next the body red, with yellow edges, 

 the others yellow ; rest of the coverts green ; greater quills black, 

 some having blue and green edges ; four of the middle ones red at 

 the base within for three-fourths of their length ; the four middle tail 

 feathers are green with yellowish ends; the three next on each side 

 red half-way from the base ; the rest yellowish green, with a deep 

 green spot between the two colours ; all of them margined with green 

 outwardly ; the outmost the same, the exterior edges blue ; legs 

 hoary. 



Inhabits Guiana with the last. Buffon expatiates on the sensi- 

 bility of this species, from the notes of a friend, who kept one alive ; 

 it was of a very uncertain temper ; for if chastised for biting rather 

 hard, &c. it persisted in the offence, and never was to be reclaimed, 

 but from the most gentle usage ; was impatient in a cage, biting to 

 pieces every thing within reach, and always silent and dull, except 

 when at liberty. It chattered then continually, and had much to say, 

 as it remembered every thing ; yet with all this caprice, the bird was 

 very fond of children. In the time of moulting, which lasted for 

 nearly three months, it appeared dejected and uneasy ; it was chiefly 

 fed on hemp-seed, nuts, and fruits of all kinds, but preferred meat, 

 when allowed to have it, though from too frequent use of the last, it 

 became dull and heavy, and lost its feathers.* We 'believe the above 

 account will include the manners of most Parrots in confinement, 

 and the circumstance of the loss of plumage from the use of animal 

 food, we have been frequently witnesses to, and this appeared to 

 arise from the irritation produced in the skin, which induced the birds 

 to be continually picking and fretting the parts, to allay the uneasy 

 sensation. It has been remarked, that Parrots have the habit of 

 retaining the food in the pouch or cheek for some time, whence they 

 have been thought to chew the cud.f 



* Birds in hot climates do not moult all at once, as in the colder regions, but the feathers 

 fall off by degrees, as the leaves of evergreen trees. f See Pitfield's Memoirs, p. 201. 



