Psittacus festivus, L.

Festive Amazon (Ger., Blaubart, blaubdrtige Amazone, roth' ruckiger Amazonenpapagei, rothruckige Amazone, blaukinniger Kurzflugelpapagei; Fr., Perroquet Amazone a dos rouge, Perroquet Tavoua; Dut., Blauwkeel Amazone Papegaai) - Character as a Talker - Natural Characteristics.

This parrot, known since Linne wrote of it, has been much praised by older authors, especially by Buffon, as a speaker which is said even to surpass the Grey Parrot. Nevertheless, it has also some very unpleasant characteristics, for it is treacherous and ill-tempered, and may bite even while being caressed. More modern travellers also, such as Schomburgk, assert that it is one of the most teachable parrots, speaks clearly, and learns to pipe songs well. Observation has, however, convinced us that these opinions are for the most part erroneous. All parrots, if badly trained, manifest treacherous, cunning ways, and among all the Amazons yet imported this one is decidedly wanting in talent for speaking.

The band on the forehead and the lores are blood-red; eyebrows and temple stripes light blue; a broad green spot on the top of the head; back of the head, as far as nape of neck, blue; sides of the head green; hinder part of the back and the rump scarlet; no central spot on wing; coverts of primaries, and bend of the wing, dark-blue; only the outermost tail feather on each side has a red base; all the upper parts of the body dark grass-green; the lower parts somewhat lighter; throat blue; lower coverts of the tail yellow-green; beak pale flesh-colour; cere blackish; eyes brown, inclining to carmine, with dark-brown rings round the iris; eye cere whitish-grey; feet greyish-white, or brownish horn-grey; claws brown-black. (In many the hinder part of the back, the rump, and tail, are uniformly green. It has not yet been ascertained whether this is the plumage of the female or of the young bird. The red lores are also sometimes absent, and the green spot on the top of the head extends more or less; the back of the head as far as the neck is blue). Size, about that of a crow (length, 14|in.; wings, 7 1/2in. to 8in.; tail, 3 3/8in. to 3 3/4in. It is a native of Brazil, Bolivia, Guiana, and Venezuela. It is somewhat rare in the market, and this may be the reason why, even as an untrained bird, it fetches rather a high price.