or Parrot, in ornithology; a genus belonging to the order of psittacidae. The bill in this genus is hooked from the base; and the upper mandible is moveable: the nostrils are round, placed in the base of the bill, which in some species is furnished with a kind of cere: the tongue is broad, and blunt at one end: the head is large, and the crown flat: the legs are short, the toes placed two before and two behind. It might seem a wonder why nature has destined to this, which is not naturally a bird of prey, but feeds on fruits and vegetable substances, the crooked beak allotted allotted to the hawk and other carnivorous birds; but the reason seems to be, that the parrot being a heavy bird, and its legs not very fit for service, it climbs up and down trees by the help of this sharp and hooked bill, with which it lays hold of any thing and secures itself before it stirs a foot; and besides this, it helps itself forward very much, by pulling its body on with this hold.
Of all animals, the parrot and crocodile are the only ones which move the upper jaw; all creatures else moving the lower only. As some particular animals beside are fond of particular foods, so the parrot loves nothing so much as the seeds of the carthamus, or bastard-saffron; and eats them without any hurt, though they are a purge when given to other creatures.
Parrots are found almost everywhere within the tropics; and in their natural state they live on fruits and feeds, though, when tame, they will eat flesh, and even fish.
In the East and West Indies they are very common, and in such warm climates are very brisk and lively; here, however, they lose much of their vigour. They seldom make nests, but breed like owls in hollow trees; they lay two eggs. At particular times they fly in very large troops, but still they keep two and two together. This genus consists of infinite variety, not so much owing to mixture of species, however, as might be supposed. They seem to run wildly into one another, so as to appear to be related, though received from different parts of the world; this, however, may possibly be occasioned by their being carried from one place to another for the sake of sale. This uncertainty of native place has prevented Mr Latham from following Buffon's plan, and ranging them according to the places they are supposed to inhabit; he divides them therefore into those with uneven and those with even tails.
Buffon ranges the parrots in two great classes: the first of which comprehends those of the Old Continent, and the second those of the New. The former he subdivides into five families, the Cockatoos, the Parrots, properly so called, the Lorises, the long-tailed Paroquets, and the short-tailed ones; and the latter into six, viz. the Macaws, the Amazonians, the Creeks, the Popinjays, the long-tailed Paroquets, and the short-tailed ones.
Mr Latham has increased the genus from 47 to 163; and since the time he wrote his Index at least 20 more have been discovered. They are very generally divided into three kinds: 1. The larger, which are as big as a moderate fowl, called macaws and cockatoos; these have very long tails. 2. The middle-sized ones, commonly called parrots, which have short tails, and are a little larger than a pigeon. And, 3. The small ones, which are called paroquets, and have long tails, and are not larger than a lark or blackbird.
1. The phitacaus macao, or red and blue macaw, is red, except the wing quills, which above are blue, below rufous: the scapular feathers are variegated with blue and green; the cheeks are naked and wrinkled. It is about two feet seven inches and a half long, and about as big as a capon. Edwards says, when perfect, it will measure a full yard from bill to tail. It inhabits Brazil, Guiana, and other parts of South America. It was formerly very common in St Domingo, but is now rarely found there. It generally lives in moist woods, especially such as are planted with a particular kind of palm, perhaps what is called the macaw tree. It does not in general learn to speak, and its voice is particularly rough and disagreeable. The flesh is hard, black, and unfavourly, but makes good soup, and is much used by the inhabitants of Cayenne and other places. This species, in common with other parrots, is subject to fits when tamed; and though it will live for many years though the returns be pretty frequent, it generally falls a victim to that disease at last. The Americans call it gonzo.
2. The phitacaus ararauna, or blue and yellow macaw, is blue above, and yellow below, and the cheeks are naked, with feathery lines. It is about the same size with the last, and inhabits Jamaica, Guiana, Brazil, and Surinam.
3. The phitacaus feverus, or Brazilian green macaw, is black, with a greenish splendor; the bill and eyes are reddish, and the legs are yellow. It is about one foot and five inches long, and is common in Jamaica, Guiana, and Brazil. It is however comparatively rare; but it is extremely beautiful, and of a very amiable and sociable temper when familiar and acquainted; but it can neither bear strangers nor rivals: its voice is not strong, nor does it articulate very distinctly the word ara. See Plate CCCCXVI.
4. The phitacaus aurora, or yellow amazon, is about 12 inches long, of a green colour, with blue wing quills, and a white front; its orbits are snowy. It inhabits Mexico or Brazil; but in all probability the latter, from the one which Salerne saw, and which pronounced Portuguese words. The phitacaus guineensis, or yellow lory, is about ten inches long, and is an inhabitant of Guinea. The bill is of a black colour; the cere, the throat, and space about the eyes, are white; above the eye there is a patch of yellow, and the rest of the head and neck is crimson. The breast is yellow, wing coverts green, and the quills are blue, edged with yellow. Under the wings, belly, thighs, vent, and to the under part of the tail, the colour is white, which last is tipped with red; the legs are dusky, and the claws black. See Plate CCCCXVI.
5. The phitacaus pullarius, red-headed Guinea parrakeet, or Guinea sparrow, is about five inches and a half long. It inhabits Guinea, and is found in Ethiopia, the East Indies, and the island of Java, and sometimes in Surinam. It is green, with a red front, fulvous tail, black bar, and cinereous orbits. The male of this species is peculiarly affectionate to the female. See Plate CCCCXVI.
In Mr White's Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales, we find a description, with excellent engravings, of several species of this extensive genus; and in Governor Philip's Voyage to the same place, we find descriptions and prints of several of the same species. But the most particular of the later authors are Buffon and Latham, especially the last; to whose extensive and accurate work we therefore refer our readers for that information which our limits permit us not to give. See his Synopsis, vol. i. p. 194—323. See also Buffon, vol. vi. p. 63—245.