65 



PALAEORNIS EXSUL newton. 



(Plate 19.) 

 Palaeornis exsul A. Newton, Ibis 1872, p. 33. 



LEGUAT was the first to mention these parrots as " Perroquets verds 

 et bleus," and that they were wonderfully good to eat and also 

 delightful pets. 



Professor Newton's description is as follows : " Female : Of moderate size. 

 General appearance greyish-glaucous, darker above than beneath. From the 

 corner of the mouth proceeds an ill-defined dull black chin stripe, which 

 becomes broader as it passes backward and upward, ceasing somewhat 

 abruptly on reaching the level of the ears. Head, nape and shoulders, upper 

 wing-coverts, and rectrices above dull greyish-glaucous, the blue tinge in 

 which predominates when the bird is seen against the light, and the green 

 when seen in the contrary aspect; the outer rectrices paler. Rump verditer 

 blue. Primaries with their outer, and most part of their inner, webs deep 

 greenish blue, the former with narrow, lighter edges, and the latter broadly 

 bordered with pitch black; shafts and lower surfaces greyish black. 

 Secondaries much the same as the primaries, but of a still deeper shade. 

 Breast dull greyish-glaucous, but lighter than the upper parts and passing 

 on the belly into verditer, which becomes lighter and greener on the vent. 

 Rectrices beneath yellowish grey, darker toward the tips of the longer 

 feathers. Bill black." 



The specimen was sent in spirits to Sir Edward Newton in 1871 by 

 Mr. Jenner, the Magistrate of Rodriguez. 



The male differs from the female in having the upper mandible crimson, 

 fading into horn at the tip. Top of head more glaucous. Black stripe from 

 nostril to eye. Black chin stripe prolonged almost to meet on nape of neck. 

 Most of primaries with dull black patch on inner webs. Middle secondaries 

 dusky black. 



The male was sent to Sir Edward Newton in 1875 by Mr. J. Caldwell. 



Total length 16 inches. 



Wing 7-5 „ 



Tail 85 „ 



Probably almost if not quite extinct. Recent investigations about its 

 status are very desirable. 



Habitat : Rodriguez Island. 



