Psittacus eques, Bdd.

Mauritius Alexandrine Parrakeet (Ger., Halsband-Edelsittich von Mauritius, breitschwanziger Halsband-Edelsittich, Ritter-oder Reiter-Edelsittich; Fr., Perruche Alexandre de l'Isle de Maurice; Dut., Mauritius Edelparkiet) - Description - Rarity - Character in Captivity.

This species is dark grass-green, without the greyish-green lustre; a narrow band of blue on the neck; on both sides of the throat there is a yellowish-vermilion spot; the stripe on the chin black; the narrow lores black; the back and rump are nob bluish, but a bright dark green; the large feathers on the shoulders, and the small coverts under the wing, are a brio-lit yellow; the tail feathers are dark green, without the blue lustre; the inner web a dull yellow; all the reverse side a dull orange-yellow; the two central feathers of the tail are slightly prolonged; all the under part of the body grass-green (the breast without the greyish-green); the upper mandible red; the under mandible blackish-brown; the eyes light yellow; the eye cere orange-yellow; the feet grey; claws black. The female is similarly marked, but without the band on the throat and the lores lines; when old, there is a black stripe on the lower cheek; the beak is uniformly blackish-brown. In the plumage of the young bird all the under part of the body is of pale yellowish-green; the upper mandible is reddish-brown at the base; in other respects it resembles the female. The size is somewhat less than that of the species previously described (length, 15in. to 16in.; wings, 6 3/8in. to 6 7/8in.; the longest feather of the tail, 5 7/8in. to 7 3/4in.; the outer feathers, 2 1/8in. to 3in.).

It is a native of Mauritius. Although very similar to the preceding species, and chiefly distinguishable by its colour, yet it has been positively asserted by Dr. Finsch and others to be a special variety, and as such I must, of course, treat of it. It was scientifically named by Boddaert, in 1783, and later on described and drawn by Brisson and Buffon.

The brothers Newton, who are travelled observers, have made a few remarks concerning its life in freedom. According to them, it resembles its congeners, of which mention has previously been made. It appears but very rarely in the market, and is then, perhaps, frequently confused with others. A Noble Parrakeet of this species which was in my possession became extremely tame and affectionate, and learnt to speak well.