Psittacus solstitialis, L.

Solstitian Parrakeet (Ger., Sonnensittich, Sonnenwendesittich, Orangegelber Keilschwanzsittich, Kessisittich; Fr., Per ruche soleil, Perruche jaune; Dut., Oranjegeele Parkiet) - Rarity - Description - Habitat - Domestic Character.

This is among the most beautiful of the talking parrakeets; but it is to be regretted that, though it extends over a large tract of country and is found in great numbers, it is extremely rare and seldom imported alive. It was named scientifically by Linne.

Its plumage throughout is lemon-yellow; the eye cere, the cheeks, and the part round the ear, reddish orange-yellow; the rump and upper coverts of the tail pure yellow; the primaries green at the base on the outer web, the tip half blue, the tip and the inner web black, with a yellow spot at the end, the secondaries blue, the inner web black, with a yellow spot at the end; all the wing feathers are blackish-grey on the reverse side; the coverts of the primaries deep blue, the inner web black with a yellow spot at the end; the tail feathers olive-green, about one third from the tip blue, the outermost blue on the whole of the outer web, the centre ones yellowish-green at the basal half; all on the reverse side a greenish-yellow grey; the breast and belly reddish orange-yellow; the beak dark brownish horn-grey; eyes orange-red; narrow featherless eye cere reddish flesh-colour; feet brownish horn-grey; claws black. Size, somewhat less than that of the Carolina Parrakeet (length, 12 1/8in.; wings, 5 3/4in. to 6 1/8in.; longest feathers in the tail, 4 3/4in. to 6 1/8in.; outermost tail feathers, 2 3/8in. to 3in.).

It is a native of South America, from the Amazon River to the Orinoko. The travellers, Natterer and Burmeister, frequently shot it, yet they give no information as regards its life in freedom. This, however, is described by the brothers Schomburgk, who saw it in large flocks at the foot of Mount Mairari. on the borders of Venezuela and Brazil, and on the Mahu River. In the latter locality (where they are called Kessi-Kessi) they attracted attention by loud resounding cries. This bird, which is a special favourite with the natives, may often be seen in flocks of from thirty to forty flying about a village, and they nest in the trees which stand in the open spaces around the huts.

The Yellow Conure was first placed in the London Zoological Gardens in 1862, and then but one specimen was procurable. It only appears occasionally in our bird shops and exhibitions. I once saw in Berlin, in the possession of a secondhand dealer, a bird of this species which had been for a length of time in the house of a private family. It was exceedingly tame and chattered some words most charmingly.