Psittacus megalorrhynchus, Bdd.

Black-shouldered Parrot (Ger., Grossschnabelpapagei, Schwarz-schulter-Edelpapagei; Fr., Perroquet d epaulettes noires; Dut., Zwartschouder Edelpapegaai) - Distinguishing Marks.

The species of which I am now about to speak may be distinguished from the preceding at a glance, for the feathers of their wing coverts have shaded edges, and, consequently, the wings are not so uniform in colour, but are peculiarly marked; the beak is decidedly larger, and mostly altogether red. The females are not red, like those of the previously-mentioned species, but do not, as far as we know at present, differ at all, or only very little, from the male.

The Great-billed Eclectus is grass-green; the plumage on the upper part of the back edged with a pale-blue; the hinder part of the back and the rump sky-blue; the flights ultramarine-blue, the inner webs having a dark edge; the coverts of the primaries and secondaries marine-blue; the last four or five green, black at the ends, with a broad orange-yellow border on the inner and outer webs; the remaining large covert feathers black, deeply bordered on both webs with orange-yellow; the tail feathers are dark-green, olive-yellow at the tip; the reverse of the tail is all olive-yellow; the lower part of the body is completely olive-yellowish green; the breast and sides of the belly more yellow; the beak vermilion, the point whitish; the eyes dark-brown; the eye cere a blackish-grey; feet yellowish-brown, with black scales and claws. Size, about that of a raven (length, 14 1/4in. to 15 3/8; wings, 8 1/2in. to 9 3/4in.; tail, 5in. to Gin.).

They are natives of the easterly Moluccas, but it is not yet certain how far they extend. The species was mentioned by Brisson, Buffon, and others, as early as the year 17G0, and described by Boddaert in 1783. The older writers make no mention of it. We have as yet unfortunately little information concerning the mode of life. The travellers, Dr. A. B. Meyer and von Rosen-berg, tell us that this parrot lives alone in the forests far from the dwellings of man, and utters loud cries when anyone approaches. No researches have been made as to its food, breeding, etc.

It only appears singly in our markets; indeed, the largest number known to have been imported at one time was six, which Dr. Platen brought from Celebes. It is said to speak well, but as yet we have no evidence on the point.