Psittacus tovi, Gml.

Tovi Parrakeet (Ger., Tovi-Schmalschnabelsittich, Tovisittich, Schmalschnabelsittich mit gelben Unterflugeldechen, Goldkinn-sittich (/), gewohnlich blos Grassittich oder Grasperikit; Fr., Perruche Tovi; Dut., Tovi Parkiet) - Description - Habitat - Character in Captivity.

Though commonly known, the Tovi Parrakeet is not often seen in the market. It is only imported occasionally, and usually in pairs. It was described and delineated by Brisson in 1760, but was often confused with other varieties by the older authors. They give us no particulars as to its life in captivity.

All the body is green; the head grass-green, with a tinge of malachite-green; the hinder part of the neck and the shoulders have a shade of olive-brown; the rest of the upper part of the body is dark green; the rump and upper coverts of the tail a faint bluish grass-green; the primaries have a blackish edge on the inner web; the secondaries are bluish; all the wing feathers are of a dull green on the reverse side, blackish on the outer web; the coverts of the primaries are dark blue; the central and smallest wing coverts, together with the coverts of the shoulder, a yellowish cinnamon-brown; the small and central under coverts lemon-yellow; the tail feathers dark malachite-green, a lighter yellowish-green on the reverse side; a deep orange-yellow spot on the throat, close under the lower mandible; all the under parts of the body light greenish-yellow; the thighs, belly, and lower coverts of the tail grass-green, with a malachite-green lustre; the beak whitish horn-grey; the upper mandible has a blackish point; eyes dark brown; feet greyish flesh - colour; dark horn - grey claws. About the size of a sparrow (length, 7 3/8 in.; wings, 4in. to 4 5/8in.; tail, 2 1/4in. to 2 5/8in.). The plumage and size of the young bird does not vary from the above.

It is a native of Central America and the northern districts of South America; it is said to be common in New Granada and Panama, but not to be found in Brazil. Dr. A. von Frantzius states that in Costa Rica he met with it only in the warmest parts, chiefly at the Gulf of Nicaya. He adds : "They always die very soon on the highlands, where they are brought for sale in numbers. They are easily tamed, and learn to speak a little."

Observation has taught us that in captivity they are by no means so delicate as described, but can stand our climate well; they all become tame, but it is not yet known if they are all gifted with a talent for speech to the extent which Professor Hallbauer claims. A couple which belonged to his brother, a surgeon in the navy, and had been brought from the West Indies, learnt to speak. After a delay of about a year, when they had acquired fresh plumage of a beautiful character, they began to imitate an Amazon which was near their cage, or rather one of the couple did so, probably the male bird. "Setting out by softly uttering 'Kickerick,' it by degrees pronounced the phrase completely as 'Kickericki.' Soon it learnt also the word 'papa;' both words sounded very odd as pronounced in its tiny voice. It is worth noticing that when the little speaker said the word 'Kickericki,' it hopped about on its perch and clapped its wings, which heightened the comical impression." Travellers have from time to time declared that the Tovi Parrakeet, in its native country, is far from rare as a talker. We may expect, therefore, that this capability will develop itself more frequently among us in future, if the fanciers will but take the trouble to teach these birds, especially the young ones.

Both Mrs. Veronika Greiner and Mr. Schmalz (ministerial secretary), amateur bird fanciers and residents of Vienna, have had the good fortune to obtain successful results in the breeding of the Tovi Parrakeet. These birds, however, are not often to be found in aviaries, for their ear-piercing cries render them obnoxious.