THE PURPLE-TAILED PARRAKEET. 



PSITTACUS PORPHYRURUS. — LATHAM. 



PLATE 31. 



The colours of this most beautiful species are of 

 great brilliancy. It is a uative of Cayenne, in 

 South America. It is principally distinguished by 

 all the rectrices being purple, except the two middle 

 ones, which are green. It is one of the rarest birds 

 of its tribe. 



The whole plumage of this bird is of a rich 

 brilliant green ; the rump being of a fine Antwerp 

 blue colom^ ; the outer great wing coverts and tips 

 of the whole primaries are black ; it has also a patch 

 of several black feathers on the middle of the back ; 

 the tail feathers of a deep crimson, fringed with 

 black ; the two middle feathers are green ; the tail 

 coverts are uncommonly long, and reach nearly to 

 the point of the tail : this is a remarkable peculiarity 

 m the species. The bill is dirty gi-een, and the legs 

 and feet of a dull ppa green. 



