Callipsittacus, Lss. Distinguishing Marks.

This name has been given to a genus of the cockatoo family which, like the Macaw Cockatoos, shows a marked distinction from the rest of the parrots. Corresponding with its German name, this parrot has a long graduated tail, from which the two central feathers extend pointedly to some distance. Gould, Schlegel, and Finsch, in spite of this peculiarity, include it amongst the cockatoos, and I also follow this classification, although the species has of late been sub-divided and reckoned amongst the Flat-tailed Parrakeets. The distinguishing marks are as follows: The beak is similar to that of the real cockatoos, only weaker, the ridge more compact and angular, the point not so protracted; the nostrils round, open, with edges turning upwards, in the well-defined cere; the tongue short, thick, rounded at the point, with a spoonlike cavity; the eyes proportionately small and round, and a featherless circle round the eye; the lores feathered; the wings unusually long and pointed; the tail as described above; the feet of moderate size; the claws rather weak, but sharp; the plumage soft; the crest feathers long, narrow, of a fibrous nature, the longest rather turned upwards; the chin feathers below the under beak are long and broad. Other marks may be found in the description of the species.