TRICHOGLOSSUS CHLOROLEPIDOTUS, Jard. and Selb.
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet.

Psittacus chlorolepidotus, Kuhl, Consp. Psitt. in Nov. Act., vol. x. p. 48.
Trichoglossus Matoni, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 292.

Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus, Jard. and Selb. Il. Orn., vol. iii. pl. 110.—Wagl. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand. p. 550.

 

Tue present Lorikeet is one of the four species of this genus inhabiting New South Wales, which portion of
Australia may be regarded as its stronghold, for I have never even seen a skin from any of the other
colonies ; hence, like many other species, it is very local, confined as it were to certain limits, and those of
small extent. ‘To give any detailed account of its habits and mode of life would be merely repeating what
[have said respecting the 7richoglossus Swainsonii, with which it frequently associates and even feeds on
the same branch; it is, however, not so numerous as that species, nor so generally distributed over the
face of the country. The brushes near the coast, studded here and there with enormous gums, towering
high above every other tree by which they are surrounded, are the localities especially resorted to Dyan:
in the interior of the country, on the contrary, where the Trichoglossus Swainsonii is equally as numerous
as in the neighbourhood of the coast, I never observed it.

Its sole food is honey, gathered from the cups of the newly expanded blossoms of the Eucalypti, upon
which it feeds to such an excess, that on suspending a fresh-shot specimen by the toes a large teaspoonful,
at least, of liquid honey will flow from the mouth ; hence, when we know this to be the natural food of the
principal members of the group, how can it be expected that they can exist in captivity upon the hard seeds
or farinaceous food so generally given as a substitute? A proper attention to the diet of these birds, by
supplying them with food of a saccharine character, would doubtless be attended with the best results, and
enable us to keep them as denizens of our cages and aviaries, as well as the other members of the family ;
and when it is considered that they are among the most elegant and beautiful of their tribe, I trust those
who may have an opportunity will be induced to make a trial.

The Scaly-breasted Lorikeet breeds in all the large Hucalypti near Maitland on the Hunter, but I regret
to say I did not procure its eggs, or any information respecting its nidification.

The sexes are so closely alike as not to be outwardly distinguished.

All the upper surface, wings and tail rich grass-green ; a few feathers at the back of the neck and all
the feathers of the under surface bright yellow, margined at the tip with a crescent of grass-green, giving
the whole a fasciated appearance ; under surface of the shoulder and base of the primaries and secondaries
rich scarlet ; bill beautiful blood-red, inclining to orange at the tip; cere and orbits olive ; irides in some
specimens scarlet with a circle of buff round the pupil, in others buffy yellow.

The figures are of the natural size.