Psittacus amazonicus, L.

Orange-winged Amazon Parrot (Ger., Venezuela-Amazone, Kurz-flugelpapagei mit grunem Flugelbug, falschlich Genuine Amazone oder gar Neuhollilnderpapagei; Fr., Perroquet Amazone a ailes Oranges; Dut., Groenboeg Amazone Papegaai) - Characteristics and Talents.

This species is much rarer in the market than that just treated, and not nearly so much admired. It is found of the following colours : The band on the forehead and the lores blue; front of the head and the cheek below the eye, as far as the beak, yellow; shoulders green, only yellow at the bend of the wing; central spot on the wing yellowish-red; tail feathers at the base orange-red; the whole of the upper feathers green, the feathers at the back of the neck with darker lines; all the lower part of the body light green, mingled on the breast with a little down; the beak is of a pale grey-yellow, with a dark-brown point, and at the base of the upper beak is a yellow spot; the eyes vary from light yellow to vermilion; feet brownish horn-grey. The hen is said to have duller shades on the head. Size, somewhat less than the Blue-fronted Amazon (length, 13 1/2in. to 14 1/4-in.; wings, from Tin. to 7 7/8in.; tail, 3 3/8in. to 3 1/2in.). All the birds of this species which are imported appear to be the same in colour. They are natives of the East of Brazil, where they live in countless numbers in the forests on the coasts. Their food is said to consist of all kinds of tree fruits, principally that of the mangrove. They are described by the settlers as the worst screamers of all the family. In order to obtain them young it is often necessary to fell large trees with inaccessible branches. In their native country they are called "Kurika," and are considered very teachable, and this is confirmed by Dr. Lazarus. If this Amazon is less a favourite amongst us than the Blue-fronted Amazon, the reason probably is that, even as a speaker, it does not cease from harsh cries.

They are mostly brought from Venezuela by the sailors in the steamers.