Psittacus Linnei, Ess.; P. polychlorus, Scpl. aa male, P. Linnei, Wgl. as female.

Red-sided Eclectus, or Red-sided Green Lory, male bird so-called (Ger., Grunedelpapagei, grosser gruner Edelpapagei, and, erroneously by the dealers, Wachsschnabellori oder Wachsschnabel; Fr., Grand Perroquet vert, ou Lori Perruche d flancs rouges; Dut., Groote groene Edelpapegaai) - Linnean Eclectus, or Linnean Lory, female so-called (Ger., Linne's Edelpapagei; Fr., Perroquet de Linne; Dut., Linne's Edelpapegaai) - New Guinea Eclectus or Parrot (Fr., Perroquet de la Nouvelle Guine'e; Dut., New Guinea Edelpapegaai) - Description - Habitat - Importation - Domestic Character.

It is an extraordinary sight to see a pair of these large birds sitting together and "billing and cooing," for they are so different in appearance, and those who have not studied the matter can scarcely be persuaded to believe that they are mates; indeed, I may here casually remark that the wholesale dealers will even now hardly credit it.

The male is grass-green, the upper and lower parts of the body being alike; the primaries and their coverts are dark-blue; the edge and bend of the wing and the smaller covert feathers along the fore part of the wing are light-blue; the shoulders, the inner coverts of the wing, and the spot on the sides of the breast, scarlet; the outer tail feathers, on both sides, dark-blue; the reverse side of all the quills and tail feathers is a dull black, the tail feathers being a pale-yellow at the tip; the upper mandible coral-red, the point pale waxy-yellow; lower mandible black; the eyes are blackish-brown, with a very narrow grey-brown circle, inclining to orange colour; the feet leaden-grey, with black scales and claws. Size, about that of a raven (length, 14 1/8in. to 15 3/8in.; wings, 10in. to 10 1/2in.; tail, 4 3/4in. to 5 1/2in.).

New Guinea Eclectus. (Psittacus Linnei).

The female is light-scarlet on the head, neck, and breast; round the eye is a narrow blue ring; a broad transverse band of ultramarine-blue runs across the upper part of the back; the primaries are of a dark indigo-blue; the inner web a dull black; the large covert feathers are dark-red; the under edge of the wing and the small inferior coverts are dark-blue; the upper side of the tail has a broad bright-red tip; on the reverse side it is blackish, and the end a faded red; all the upper part of the body is dark-scarlet; the sides of the breast and the belly are a brilliant dark-blue; the lower tail coverts are light-red, finely edged with yellow; the beak is black; the eyes blackish-brown, with a pearly-white circle round the iris; the feet are grey, with black scales and claws. Size, scarce noticeably smaller than the male (length, 14 1/8in. to loin.; wings, 9 1/2in. to 9 7/8in.; tail, 4 1/2in.).

The male of this species is distinguished from the Gilolo Eclectus by its lighter green colour and the small marks in the tail; the female by the circle of beautiful blue feathers round the eye.

They are natives of the New Guinea group of islands. I cannot give much information concerning their habits in freedom. The natives are said to take them in large numbers from the nests, as is the case with other parrots. The male was described by Scopoli in 1738, and well depicted by Edwards; the female was mentioned by Muller in 1776, but first described by Wagler in 1832. The old writers made many errors concerning these birds; thus, for example, the green male bird was said to be a native of China. Since the time of Edwards, 1754, they have been brought over alive singly. The male has long been one of the ordinary objects of the bird-market, whereas the female, as the Linnean Eclectus, has always, till of late, been accounted a rarity. When once acclimatised they are both very hardy, and live well in this country in the open air. Some are exceedingly vicious in the cage; but, in spite of this, often exhibit the peculiarity of allowing themselves to be taken out, and almost immediately become perfectly tame. Of course, it requires considerable courage to seize a large parrot with such a powerful beak, without hesitation, by the feet; but when done, it appears to make such an impression on it that it at once ceases to resist.

Dr. Bodinus tells us of a green Eclectus which spoke excellently, and Mr. Scheuba, head master of the Upper Grammar School in Olmutz, also considers these birds uncommonly teachable. I can assert of the female that it is tame and affectionate, and learns to speak a few words well. Kept as talkers, neither is a bad screamer; as breeding birds, on the contrary, especially in the early morning, they make considerable noise; in such case, also, the females are excessively vicious and bad-tempered.