PSEPHOTUS MULTICOLOR.

Many-coloured Parrakeet.

Psittacus multicolor, Temm. in Linn. Trans., vol. xiii. p. 119.—Kuhl, Consp. Psitt. in Nova Acta, vol. x. p. 55.
Varied Parrot, Lath. Gen. Hist., vol. i. p. 182.
Platycercus multicolor, Vig. and Horsf. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p. 283.—Wagl. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand., vol. i. p. 528.

 

Tuts species is strictly an inhabitant of the interior of Australia, being found on the banks of the Lachlan,
Murray and Darling, and according to the label attached to the specimen in the Sydney Museum, the neigh-
bourhood of the Pink Hills. It is a true Psephotus and is closely allied to P. hematonotus, but differs from
that and every other species of the genus in the patches or bands of colour which ornament the head,
wings and rump ; it is a species I did not meet with myself, and of which no information has been given by
those travellers who have visited its native wilds ; consequently nothing whatever is known of its habits and
economy ; it is still a rare bird, and to be found in few collections. |
Much variation is found to exist in the colouring of this bird; some individuals having the band across )
the wing-coverts bright yellow, while in others the same part is tinged with red.
The adult male has the forehead and shoulders sulphur-yellow ; under tail-coverts citron-yellow ; rump
crossed by three distinct bands of yellowish green, dark green, and reddish chestnut; occiput reddish
chestnut ; base of the primaries, secondaries and spurious wing, and the under wing-coverts rich deep blue;
lower part of the abdomen and thighs scarlet ; middle tail-feathers blue; the outer ones bluish green,
passing into very pale blue at their tips; all the tail-feathers, except the four middle ones, crossed by a
band of black near the base; remainder of the plumage deep grass-green ; bill horny browns legs wood-
brown.
The female is attired in a similar style of colours, but is much less brilliant, has the throat and breast
yellowish brown, and only an indication of the bands on the occiput and wing-coverts.

The Plate represents the two sexes of the natural size.