Psittacus xanthopterin, Spx.

Orange-winged Parrakeet (Ger.. Schmalschnabelsittich mit hoch-gelber Flugelbinde, Gelbflugelsittich, Golbflugelsittich, Kanarien-vogelsittich, Kanarienflugelsitticli, gelbflugeliger' Grassittich; Fr., Perruche xanthoptere; Dut., Oranjevlevgel Parkiet) - Description - Habitat - Character in Captivity.

Described and named by Spix in 1824, this species belongs to those known only in later times. It is grass-green all over the body; above darker, beneath somewhat lighter; quills bluish on the outer web, blackish-grey on the inner web; all on the reverse side bluish-green; the bend of the wing and the large upper coverts deep yellow (forming a broad yellow band across the wing); tail feathers olive greenish-yellow on the inner web, on the reverse side both webs are bluish-green; the beak a light brownish grey-white; eyes dark brown; feet brownish horn-grey; nearly as large as a thrush (length, 9 3/4 in.; wings, 4 5/8in. to 4 7/8in.; tail, 3 3/4in. to 4in.).

It is a native of, probably, the whole extent of Brazil, and is said to be particularly numerous in the region round the Amazon and in Bolivia; Bartlett found it also in Peru. Of its life in freedom we only know that for the most part it is like that of its kindred species. Burmeister saw small flights of them every day in the neighbourhood of New Freiburg.

In its native country this Small-billed Parrakeet is frequently kept as a pet, and in captivity displays the droll character which I described in speaking of the preceding species, but it is easily distinguishable from them by its marked gentleness. The following account is by an eminent connoisseur and affectionate admirer of foreign cage-birds - Dr. Luchs, a physician, of Warm-brunn : "My Canary-winged Parrakeet is an uncommonly tame, gentle, and affectionate bird. It grows daily more confident and familiar with me, though with strangers it is always shy. When I prepare to sit down to breakfast it begins to make a climbing journey from its open cage, up the window curtain beside it, across two birdcages, and down the curtain on the other side on to the adjacent sofa, thence up again by the tablecloth, and at last to the farther side of me, to feast on milk, moistened toast, sugar, and the like. If I do not at once take notice of it, it at first softly pecks my hand, but then more sharply, looking up at me from time to time to see if I will not give it the coveted food. As soon as it is satisfied it returns by the same route with all its difficulties. I could relate much of the droll caresses of my friendly parrakeet, but in doing so I should illustrate no intellectual gifts with which these parrots may in particular be endowed, but merely that which has already been observed in a higher degree in many other species. This variety, however, I have no hesitation in asserting, by no means belongs to the untalented and lower ranks. My little Canary-winged Parrakeet was able to say quite distinctly, 'There, there, Polly!' Its cry was by no means annoying or disagreeable, and was not often heard. Every time that I went into the room it greeted me with a call, also when I addressed it as 'Polly.' If it had settled to rest for the night and I went up and spoke to it, it would answer me, at first in a whisper, and then with a repeated cry." This species has not yet been bred with success.

Their price stands usually high, although they are by no means beautiful, and have a very plain plumage.