Psittacus violaceus, Russ. Synonyms: Pionus violaceus, Fnsch.; Pionus purpureus, Wgl.;

Pionias violaceus, Bp.

German: Der Veilchenpapagei.

THIS is a very handsome bird, about the size of a small Grey-Parrot (P. erithacu8): the plumage is blue and violet of different shades, with some brownish markings on the face, and a very narrow eye-streak or bridle of a deep red colour; the primaries are black, bordered with deep blue on the outer edges, the tail is purple, and the under surface of the body has a brownish tinge washed with purple.

It is an active and lively bird, and looks as if it might become a talker, if taken in hand when young: it is a native of Brazil, and, as usually happens with the birds of that country, quite hardy, and easily kept on a diet of seed.

It is very seldom imported, and we do not recollect ever having met with a specimen in the dealers' shops, but the London Zoological Society possess an individual of this species that has been in their possession for some time, a proof, if any be wanting, that it is not delicate, or difficult to keep; for few of the Psittacidoe attain to a great age in the "Parrot House/' always, of course, excepting the veteran Vasa, who has lived there since 1830! and still appears to be in the enjoyment of a fair amount of health and vigour.

The Violet Parrot, like the Red-vented, is usually placed in Wagler's genus Pionus, but is, nevertheless, a thorough Psittacus in shape and habit, and is an extremely lively and interesting bird, and were we writing a scientific instead of a familiar history of these birds, we should have no hesitation in restoring it to its place in the latter genus, as instituted by Kuhl, who divided the Psittacidoe into five groups or sections, namely, Arainoe, the Macaws; Plyctolophinoe, the Cockatoos; Psittacinoe, the Parrots proper; Corvurinoe, the Long-tailed Parrakeets; and Psittacalinoe, or Dwarf Parrots - an arrangement which has no doubt its advantages, but which is, nevertheless, somewhat too condensed, especially with regard to the fourth division, which includes in it such widely differing birds as the Ring-necked Bengal Parrakeet, and the Green Leek of the Australian colonists.

Dusky Or Violet Parrot

The Hon. And Rev. F. G. Dutton's Account Of The Dusky Pionus (Pionus Violaceus)

This bird is the same size as the Red-vented Pionus. Its feathers are dark grey, almost black, tinged with violet. Precisely the same remark applies to it that apply to the former bird. The one I kept was tame and gentle, but showed no disposition to learn. I had it as a nestling, and I am not sure but that it did know me apart from others. At any rate it made an incipient noise when I was in the room. I had to feed it, and I suppose it found it less trouble to be stuffed by me than to feed itself - at any rate its clamour for me to come and feed it was incessant.

I saw the other day a Pionus senilis, which is very like the Dusky Pionus, only that it has a white forehead, which could whisper " Pretty Polly" in a very small voice. This is the only case I have known of a Pionus talking. Its price was £2. It was very tame, and when I say that I love a tame bird, and did not buy it, I give my opinion of Pionuses more plainly than if I took pages in which to state it. They are really too dull.