Psittacua accipitrinus, L.

Hawk-headed Caique, Hooded Parrot (Ger., Kragenpapagei, Hollen-Langflugelpapagei, Facherpapagei (!); Fr., Perroquet d cravatte, Perroquet maille; Dut., Havikkop Langvleugel Pape-gaai) - Description - Habitat - Domestic Character.

The Hawk-headed Parrot must always be considered as one of the most beautiful and interesting. Its curious hood, or ruffle, of brown and blue feathers, which it erects when excited, so that it forms a circle round the head, gives it a strange appearance. It was mentioned by Clusius as early as 1605, and delineated by Edwards; Brisson was able to describe it from a living specimen in the possession of the Marquise de Pompadour. Linne named it.

It is coloured and marked as follows : The front and top of the head are white; the lores, the part round the ear, the sides of the head, and the upper part of the throat, of a pale brown, each feather having a whitish spot on the stem; on the back of the head and neck there are broad feathers about 1 3/4in. in length, light-brown at the base, and with a broad blue tip, which form the movable collar or hood; the back of the neck and all the upper part of the body are dark grass-green; the primaries and their coverts are, however, black, with the outer webs only edged with green; all the lower part of the body is brown, each feather with a broad blue edge; the mandible is a blackish-brown; the upper beak, with a light ridge; the eyes brown, shading to vivid-yellow; the eye cere brown; the feet blackish-brown; the claws black. Although this parrot appears in many varieties of shades, yet it is always easily recognised, and can never be confused with any other. It is one of the most stately parrots, and is almost as large as a raven (length, 14 1/4in.; wings, 6 3/4in. to 7 1/2in.; tail, 4 3/4in. to 5 1/2in.).

It is a native of the most northerly part of South America, extending over North Brazil, Guiana, and Surinam.

Burmeister thinks that the Hawk-headed Parrot is delicate, and that it is on this account it appears so seldom in the European markets. This supposition is, however, disposed of by examples of these birds proving themselves exceedingly healthy, and remaining strong and hardy in the cage for many years. Mr. Wigand, of Danzig, describes one which he had for eleven years. As a splendid and curious ornamental bird, it is one of the principal sights of zoological gardens and other resorts for the study of natural history. A Hawk-headed Parrot, belonging to Mr. Wiener, of London, which I had in my care for some time, appeared thoroughly tame, trained, and affectionate, displayed cleverness and intelligence, and said some English words very clearly and with perfect sense. It erected the hood more frequently in delight and pleasure than in anger. It is considered and praised by all who have kept it as being uncommonly quiet, peaceable, and gentle, not treacherous and cunning, nor vicious. Its whole character being cautious, it speaks slowly, pipes loudly and not unpleasantly, yet not frequently, screams piercingly and harshly, but leaves off directly if anyone speaks to it. Mr. Scheuba, of Olmiitz, possessed one which chattered the whole day, seldom screamed, and whose talents and capabilities for being trained caused this experienced parrot-keeper and connoisseur to reckon this species among those of the first rank.

The best food for it is seed, with the addition of some biscuit or egg-bread; sweet fruit, and fresh twigs to gnaw. It appears only singly, and seldom in our markets and exhibitions.