Bolborrhynchus, Bp.

Distinguishing Marks - Food.

The Bolborrhynchi are a genus of parrots consisting of comparatively few species, of which only one is common in the market, while the others are but rarely imported alive. The first-mentioned variety must, however, be reckoned among the speaking parrots. The Thick-billed Parrakeets are distinguished from allied genera by the following marks: Beak powerful, thick, and short, bulging out at the sides, with a rounded ridge without the longitudinal furrow; the upper mandible has a short, broad, blunt point, with slight indentation; the lower mandible is deep, with broad socket-edge rounded off; the nostrils small, uncovered, with puffy edges, only in exceptional cases covered by the feathers of the forehead; the lores feathered; the eye cere is hardly noticeable; the feet are short and strong; the wings long; the quills pointed; the tail feathers decreasing gradually towards the middle of the tail in shape of a wedge; the plumage soft. The colouring has little brilliancy. Its size (not including the long tail) varies from that of a starling to a thrush.

It is a native of South America, extending over the western, southern, and central parts, and one species occurs even in the north. All are found at considerable elevation, and some of them are said to be exclusively natives of the mountains.

Their food appears to consist chiefly of seeds, and but little or no fruit. Experiments in the breeding of one of the Thick-billed Parrakeets have shown that in freedom as well as in captivity this parrot, in contradistinction to all others, builds its nest in open spaces. In their native country several species of these parrakeets are highly esteemed as cage birds. In food - that is, their diet in captivity - the Bolborrhynchi have the same tastes as the Conures.