1871.] 271 , [Grayson. 



PSITTACIDiE. 



11. Chrysotis levaillanti Gray. "Yellow-headed Parrot; 

 Loro." 



"This large and handsome parrot is peculiar to the Islands, where 

 it is very abundant, but is not found upon the main land in this part 

 of the country.. In the evenings they may be seen in flocks or pairs, 

 flying very high, going to some part of the island to roost. They are 

 so tame and unsuspecting as to be easily taken, simply by putting a 

 running noose upon the end of a slender pole and slipping it gently 

 over the head while it is busy feeding among the branches of the 

 trees. They breed in the hollows of large trees like all the species. 

 The wood cutters sell them to vessels touching there for timber, 

 doubtless of late some of them are taken to Europe and other parts 

 of the world." 



Although this species was not found by Col. Grayson in the 

 neighborhood of Mazatlan, it is not uncommon in southwest Mexico, 

 at Tehuantepec, whence specimens were sent by Prof. Sumichrast ; 

 it also inhabits middle and eastern Mexico. 



12. Psittacula cyanopyga De Souance'. "Love Bird; Cata- 

 lina." 



"The smallest of the parrots, and quite numerous in the Islands, 

 where it is a constant resident. There is a closely allied species on 

 the main land, from which the Tres Marias' variety differs in its 

 larger size, especially of the bill, and in its deeper green color, the 

 bill also is darker at the base, that of the main being entirely white. 



"These beautiful little parrots are great favorites with every one. 

 They become very tame and affectionate, but owing to their extreme 

 delicacy, they do not survive long in confinement. 



"Their note is rather feeble, and they never learn to utter words 

 like some other birds of their family. 



"The general appearance of the plumage is lively green, the tail 

 short and rounded, rump in the male violet blue. 



"This and the yellow headed parrot are the only two varieties 

 inhabiting the Tres Marias." 



Dr. O. Finsch (Abhand. Nat. Ver. zu Bremen, 1870, p. 353) has 

 determined the species of Psittacula, collected at the Tres Marias, by 

 Col. Grayson, to be P. cyanopyga De Souance. 



There are but two specimens from the Tres Marias, both females ; 

 these differ from those of the main land, of which there are eicrht of 



