_Psittacus Rodricanus_ A. Milne-Edw., Ann. Sc. Nat. (5) VIII, pp.
151-155, pl. 7, ff. 1, 2 (1867).
_Necropsittacus rodericanus_ A. Newt., P.Z.S. p. 41 (1875).
This parrot was described from a portion of the upper mandible by Professor
Milne-Edwards, and then was more fully described by Dr. Günther and Sir
Edward Newton, who examined a nearly complete skull and other bones.
A manuscript discovered in the Archives of the Ministry of Marine in Paris
proves that this bird only became extinct at a not very distant date, it
having been seen alive by the writer of the manuscript about the year 1731.
In this manuscript the bird was said to have a body considerably larger
than a pigeon, with a _very_ long tail and a _very_ large head and bill.
Unfortunately the writer does not mention the colour, but adds that the
smaller green and blue parrot (_Palaeornis exsul_) was much handsomer; so
we can safely assume that our bird was of sombre colouration. It was
undoubtedly closely allied to the genus _Palaeornis_. The two following,
though much brighter coloured and but scantily described, apparently belong
to the same genus.