Psittacus autumnalis, L.

Yellow-cheeked Amazon (Ger., Gelbwangige-Amazone, Herbst-Amazone, Herbspapagei, gelbwangiger Kurzflugelpapagei; Fr., Perroquet Amazone d joues jaunes; Dut., Geelwang Amazone Papegaai) - Distinguished from the Diademed Amazon.

The Yellow-cheeked Amazon, although long known, for it was described and pictured by Edwards, and named by Linne, has, even till the most modern times, been mistaken for, or confused with, the Diademed Amazon, not only by the dealers, but also by ornithologists; and this is even still the case. The band on the forehead and the lores is scarlet; the top of the head green, each feather having a bluish-lilac tip (sometimes appearing deep blue); the cheeks are grass-green; the spot on the cheeks a high-coloured reddish-yellow; the feathers of the neck grass-green, finely edged with black; the central spot of the wing scarlet; the outer web of the secondaries red; the bend of the wing green; only the outermost feathers of the tail with a faded red spot; all the upper part of the body grass-green; the lower parts yellowish-green (sometimes the feathers are edged with black); the beak horn-grey; the point and lower mandible black; the cere whitish flesh-colour; the eyes are red, with a narrow yellow circle round the iris; the eye cere whitish; feet whitish-grey; claws blackish. Size, about that of a crow (length, 14 1/4in.; wings, Tin. to 7 7/8in.; tail, 4in. to 4 1/8in.).

It presents special marks for recognition; it may be distinguished from its fellows, especially from the Diademed Amazon, by the red forehead and lores, the more or less bright-blue top of the head, and the deep-yellow cheek spot; sometimes the throat is marked with red. It is a native of Central America, southerly Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala, and, according to Dr. von Frantzius, also of Costa Rica. The Yellow-cheeked Amazon was first brought to the London Zoological Gardens in the year 1869, and has appeared since 1878 at several bird shows, and at the bird dealers' now and then. The five specimens which were exhibited at the Ornis Exhibition, in 1879, by Mr. K. Hagenbeck and Miss Chr. Hagenbeck, displayed, in the most marked manner, the points of difference between this and the two most similar species. In respect of talent and capability for training, this parrot holds a secondary rank.