The TIRIBA (_Conurus leucotis_), a bird only nine inches long, four
inches of which must be reckoned for the tail, is certainly the most
elegant and charming of all parrakeets. The crown is brown, and shines
with a metallic bluish green lustre; the rim round the forehead, the
cheek-stripes, the cheeks, and the throat, are cherry colour. The part
near the ear is white; the neck, rump, and wings dark green; the point
of the tail and the middle of the belly, as well as the wings near the
shoulder, are red; the breast is olive green; and the feathers on the
upper part of the neck are indicated by a black-edged stripe, prettily
marked. The wings are externally bluish green, and black within. The tail
is green, the upper part touched with cherry colour, and the lower part
with blood red; the horn-grey beak terminates in a white point. The feet
are dark ash grey, and the eye-rings orange; the narrow bare place around
the eyes is blackish. The female is somewhat smaller than the male, from
whom she differs but little in colour. In the young birds the tints are
paler, and the feathers only slightly marked.
The Tiriba is met with in many parts of the eastern coast of Brazil;
these birds abound in forests, and particularly in such as have not been
cleared; they are also found in great numbers on the sea-coast, and at no
great distance from human habitations. Except in pairing time, they are
always in large flocks, and if disturbed dart like arrows from the tops
of the trees, shrieking loudly. They climb very dextrously, employing the
beak freely, and carefully guarding their long tail from being injured
by the branches. It is very difficult for the sportsman to distinguish
them in their haunts, on account of their green colour, and if they
fear danger they will remain perfectly motionless and quiet. It is only
when flying that they raise their voices loudly and repeatedly. When
there are plantations near the woods, they will, like other parrots,
do considerable damage, but are less destructive to maize than to rice.
After breeding time they appear more numerously on the outskirts of the
woods, accompanied by their young, whom they feed out of their crops
until they have nearly attained their full size.
[Illustration: THE GARUBA (_Conurus luteus_).]
The nest is built in the hollow of a tree, and contains from two to three
white eggs. Some species, according to Schomburghk, are favourites with
the Indians, so that we often find whole flocks of tame parrakeets near
their settlements. The Brazilians generally place them on a stick, which
they fasten to the outside of their houses, fixing one end into the
plaster wall.