Psittacus Levaillanti, Gr.

Double-fronted Amazon (Ger., Grosser oder doppelter Gelbkopf grosse gelbkopfige Amazone, Leraillant's Amazonenpapagei, Levaillant's Kurzflugelpapagei; Fr., Perroquet Amazone de Levaillant, Perroquet a tete jaune; Dut., Dubbele Geelkop Papegaai) - Its Rank as a Talker - Physical Characteristics - Power of Apprehension.

Many of the admirers of speaking parrots esteem the Double-fronted Amazon more highly than all others, and consider, indeed, that in every respect it excels even the Grey Parrot. Such an assertion must not, however, be allowed to pass unchallenged, for no one can with certainty say of any species that it is absolutely the best. If one considers the extraordinary gradations and manifold capabilities of different individuals of the same species, one is astonished at the diversity of their talents, and is convinced that these may be repeated in any of the species, rendering comparison with one another very difficult, if not impossible. I, therefore, emphatically protest against pronouncing a decided judgment on any variety, or even arranging the individuals in a settled order of merit. Of course, it may be asserted that one species belongs to the more gifted and another to the less gifted species, but this is, in fact, all, and beyond this, in truth, none can go. Without doubt, the great Double-fronted Amazon takes high rank as a speaker, but we certainly are not justified in pronouncing it to be the best of all.

It is whitish-yellow on the forehead and about the beak; the rest of the head, neck, and throat is sulphur-yellow; shoulder, central spot on the wing, and the inner webs of the four outermost tail feathers at the base, bright scarlet; the upper parts of the body dark-green; the lower parts light-green; none of the feathers have a dark edge; about the leg the colour is yellow; the beak yellowish-white; the cere almost pure white; the eyes vary from yellowish-brown to brownish-red, with a yellow or grey circle round the pupil; the eye-cere bluish-white, often yellow-grey; feet whitish-blue; claws grey. The difference between the sexes is not yet known. The plumage of the young birds is yellow only on the forehead and top and sides of the head; the red marks are pale and dull. Size, nearly as large as a raven (length, 15in. to l7 1/4in.; wings, 8 1/4in. to 9in.; tail, 4 3/8in. to 5 1/2in.). It is only found in the South and West of Mexico, its native country, and on the adjacent islands; it is seen further north than any other Amazon parrot.

It is much valued as a cage bird in its native land as well as with us, consequently it fetches a higher price than any of its fellows. The Indians steal the young from the nests, therefore all birds of this species come into the market at least half tame, and able to speak a few words; but they come singly or in small numbers. Immediately after their arrival they are •delicate, and need much care (see "Acclimatisation" and "Management"), but when accustomed to the change they are among the most hardy of the parrot tribe.

One great advantage which Levaillant's Amazon possesses is its power of apprehension, by which it is always able to repeat clearly at once words that are taught it. On the other hand, there are amongst the ranks of this species some which will never learn anything; yet the statement of the experiences given on page 36 should always be borne in mind, and such a bird should not be given up too soon as incapable of improvement, because, as has happened in many cases, it may be that after many years it will become an excellent speaker. I must add that even the most excellent of these birds will, from time to time, give vent to its wild natural cry.