PARRA CAPENSIS. 
Legs strong and rather short ; tarsi scutellated anteriorly, the scutce most 
distinct towards the toes ; lower half of tibiae naked ; claws long, straight and 
pointed. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length from the point of the bill to 
the tip of the tail 7 3 
Length of the bill from the gape 0 
of the wings when folded 3 9 
of the tail 1 10 
of the tarsus 1 5 
Length of the outer toe 
of the middle toe 
of the inner toe . 
of the hinder toe 
of the hinder claw’ 
of the other claws, about 
Inches. Lines. 
1 4 
1 4 
1 3 
0 6 
0 9 
0 6 
We have only met with one individual of this species, and that we strongly suspect to be in 
immature plumage : the whole of the interscapulars, back and upper tail coverts are probably 
brilliant metallic purple in adult birds. It was killed, while seeking for its food, upon some 
water-plants which coated the surface of a small river near to Algoa Bay. 
Parra Africana is the only other species of the group which has yet been found in 
Southern Africa : it never ranges so far to the westward as the Cape Colony, though it is often 
found to the Westward of Port Natal. 
