TRICHOGLOSSUS RUBRITORQUIS, Fie. and Hors/ i
Red-collared Lorikeet.

Trichoglossus rubritorquis, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p- 291.—Lear’s III. Psitt., pl. 34.—Wagl. Mon.
Psitt. in Abhand., tom. i. p. 552.

 

Tuts lovely Zrichoglossus inhabits the northern coasts of Australia, and is as beautiful a representative of its
near ally, the Z. Swainsonii of the south coast, as can well be imagined. In their habits and economy also
the two birds so closely approximate that a description of one will serve for both. Independently of the
richer blue of the head, the red nuchal collar and dull blackish olive mark on the abdomen are marks by
which it may readily be distinguished. The Red-collared Lorikeet is by far the most beautiful bird of the |)
two, and indeed in the splendour of its colouring is second to no member of its group. | |
The specimens from which my figures were taken were procured at Port Essington. Mr. Gilbert remarks, \ | i
that “ this species is abundant in all parts of the Cobourg Peninsula and the adjacent islands; and is an |
especial favourite with the natives, who carefully preserve the heads of all they kill for the purpose of 1 |
ornamenting their persons, by slinging them to the arm a little above the elbow. It is generally seen | | |
in large flocks, feeding on the summits of the loftiest trees. Its flight is rapid in the extreme. Like | i

the other Z7ichogloss?, its food consists of honey and the buds of flowers.”

Of its nidification nothing is yet known. i)
The sexes present little difference in appearance, and may be thus described :— Hw |
Head and cheeks resplendent blue; throat and abdomen deep olive-green ; chest crossed by a broad
band of orange-red ; a narrow band of the same colour across the occiput, below which band is a broader |
one of deep blue, the basal portion of the feathers being red; back, wings, tail and under tail-coverts grass- |
green ; basal half of the inner webs of the primaries yellow ; irides red, with a narrow ring of yellowish
round the pupil; bill vermilion ; tarsi silken green in front ; inside of the feet and back of the tarsi ash- Wl I
grey. HH a |

The Plate represents a male and a female of the natural size.

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