PARROT. 253 



the forehead, the feathers are purplish chestnut ; from the base of the 

 upper mandible springs a stripe of pale blue, passing through the 

 eve to the hind head, but vanishes before it reaches the back part ; 

 crown of the head green, with a very little mixture of blue ; on the 

 throat a blue spot ; the rest of the plumage plain green, paler beneath, 

 except from the middle of the back to the rump, which is very bright, 

 though deep crimson ; tail coverts and tail green ; the exterior edge 

 of the outer feather of the latter blue ; bastard wing deep blue; greater 

 quills almost black, with the outer edges fringed with blue ; the rest 

 of the wings green ; legs light ash-colour. In a quiescent state the 

 crimson of the rump being covered by the wings, is not visible. 



Inhabits Guiana, where it is rare, but sometimes is seen near 

 inhabited places : the natives call it Tavoua ; is in great esteem from 

 its talking better than either the Guinea or Ash-coloured, but is said 

 to be an ungrateful and mischievous bird, as it bites every one who 

 attempts to stroke it, like the Yellow-winged Parrot. Its looks are 

 lively, but shy, and it is more agile and playful than any other 

 species. This account is given by Buffon, but I am clear it will not 

 suit every individual, and that the same disposition does not pervade 

 the whole of its kind, as I had one in my collection, which, during 

 the many years it lived in England, was perfectly tame and familiar. 



198— CRIMSON-WINGED PARROT. 



Psittacus erythropterus, Ind. Orn. i. 126. Gin. Lin. i. 343. 

 Black-shouldered Parrot, Nat. Misc. pi. 053. 

 Crimson-winged Parrot, Gen. Syn. i. 299. Id. Sup. 60. 



LENGTH twelve inches. Bill brownish red, and rather elongated ; 

 crown, cheeks, and ridge of the wings fine green ; upper part of the 

 back black, the lower rich blue ; tail coverts pale green ; beneath 



