Psittacus pertinax, LINNÆUS; La Perruche Illinoise; Der
Illinesische Sittich, BECHSTEIN.
This is a species which almost all bird-sellers have. Its length is nine
inches and a half. The beak is light grey, the eyes surrounded with a
naked greyish skin, the iris is deep orange. The feet are dark grey. The
principal colour on the top of the body is green, that under is
yellowish grey. The forehead, cheeks, and throat are of a brilliant
orange; the top of the head is dark green; this colour is lighter and
yellowish on the back of the head; the top of the neck is greenish grey;
there are some orange spots on the belly.
In the female, the forehead only is deep yellow, and there is no other
mixture of yellow either on the head or belly.
HABITATION.--This parrot is also a native of the hottest parts of
South America, frequenting savannas, or any other open places, and
building its nest even in the holes of the Termites (_Termes
fatalis_, LINNÆUS.) These birds are so sociable that they may be seen
in flocks of five or six hundred.
In the house, they must always be kept in pairs, and generally in
cages. They show the tenderness of their attachment to each other by
their continual caresses; this is in fact so great, that if one die
the other soon languishes from grief.
FOOD.--When these birds go forth to steal chestnuts, acorns, peas, and
similar fruits, which form their food, they always place a sentinel
to warn them of the approach of an enemy: at the least alarm, they
fly away, uttering loud cries. When confined, they are fed with nuts,
and bread soaked in boiled milk.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Their handsome plumage, their affectionate and
confiding ways, and the tenderness of attachment which these pretty
birds have for each other, make them great favourites; but they learn
scarcely any thing, and their continual cries are sometimes very
annoying.