Psittacus Pennanti, LATHAM; La Purpure; Der Pennantsche
Sittich, BECHSTEIN.
In the male, which very much resembles the sparrow-hawk, the prevailing
colour is a reddish purple, from which it derives its name among
bird-sellers. The head and rump are dark crimson; the throat, as well as
the small outer wing-coverts, and the centre pen-feathers, are of a most
beautiful sky blue; all the under part of the body is bright crimson,
shading to bluish on the thighs. The tail is of a deep blue.
In the female, which the bird-sellers pass as a different species, under
the name of the _Palm-tree Parrot_, the prevailing colour is greenish
yellow; it resembles the male sparrow-hawk in make. The head, the sides
of the neck, and half the breast, are of a bright crimson; the throat
pearl blue, shading a little to sky blue on the edges; the top of the
neck, the back, shoulders, and last quill-feathers, are of a velvet
black. All the feathers are edged with greenish yellow, except the
scapulars and the feathers of the neck, the edges of which are the
colour of sulphur. The rump and part round the vent are of parrot green,
the long lower coverts of the tail crimson, edged with greenish yellow;
the knee bands have a shade of sky blue. The under part of the body is
of a brilliant yellow, with some irregular red dashes and spots, which
show its relation to the former bird. The base of the tail is green,
like the neck of the water-duck; the rest of the wings and tail are like
the male.
OBSERVATIONS.--I have seen several of this superb species, which
belonged to his Highness the Duke of Meiningen. It is a great pity
that they are so wild, timid, and difficult to teach. Their note is a
kind of chirping, which is rarely heard. Their feathers are as loose
as the preceding species. They come from Botany Bay, and are very
dear. Being more delicate, they require more attention than the other
parroquets.