_Mascarinus_ Lesson, Traité d'Orn. p. 188 (1831--A mixture of forms. By
elimination the name _Mascarinus_ has been restricted to the Mascarine
Parrot).
The generic affinities of this bird have been discussed by various authors.
Wagler, Gray, Pelzeln, Hartlaub (1877) and Messrs. A. and E. Newton united
it with the Vaza Parrots in the genus _Coracopsis_, Finsch included it,
together with the Vazas and the Grey Parrot (_Psittacus erithacus_), in the
genus _Psittacus_. Recent authors--Oustalet 1893, W. A. Forbes 1879, and
Salvadori (Cat. B. XX, p. 421, 1891)--have admitted a separate genus,
_Mascarinus_. This is evidently the proper course, and I agree with W. A.
Forbes, Oustalet and Salvadori that its nearest affinities appear to be the
genus _Tanygnathus_ rather than _Coracopsis_, and that the place of
_Mascarinus_ is among the _Palaeornithinae_ of Salvadori.
The large red bill, with distinctly ridged gonys, concealed nostrils and
moderately long, strongly rounded tail, are peculiar characters. The
colouration is unique. Only one species is known. {64}