110 
-Dusky 
or 
m 
flOLET 
Psittacus violaceus, Russ. 
Synonyms: Pionus violaceus, Fnsch.; Pionus purpureus, Wgl.; 
Pionias violaceus, Bp. Geeman: Per Veilchenrpapagei. 
f | 1HIS is a very handsome bird, about the size of a small Grey 
-L Parrot (P . erithacus ) : the plumage is blue and violet of different 
shades, with some brownish markings on the face, and a very narrow 
eye-streak or bridle of a deep red colour; the primaries are black, 
bordered with deep blue on the outer edges, the tail is purple, and 
the under surface of the body has a brownish tinge washed with 
purple. 
It is an active and lively bird, and looks as if it might become a 
talker, if taken in hand when young: it is a native of Brazil, and, as 
usually happens with the birds of that country, quite hardy, and easily 
kept on a diet of seed. 
It is very seldom imported, and we do not recollect ever having met 
with a specimen in the dealers’ shops, but the London Zoological 
Society possess an individual of this species that has been in their 
possession for some time, a proof, if any be wanting, that it is not 
delicate, or difficult to keep; for few of the Psittacidce attain to a 
great age in the “Parrot House,” always, of course, excepting the 
veteran Yasa, who has lived there since 1830! and still appears to be 
in the enjoyment of a fair amount of health and vigour. 
The Yiolet Parrot, like the Red-vented, is usually placed in Wagler’s 
genus Pionus, but is, nevertheless, a thorough Psittacus in shape and 
habit, and is an extremely lively and interesting bird, and were we 
writing a scientific instead of a familiar history of these birds, we 
should have no hesitation in restoring it to its place in the latter 
genus, as instituted by Kuhl, who divided the Psittacidce into five 
groups or sections, namely, Araince, the Macaws; Plydolophince, the 
