PSEPHOTUS PULCHERRIMUS, Gowa.

Beautiful Parrakeet.

Platycercus pulcherrimus, Gould in Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., vol. xv. ale

 

Tue graceful form of this new Parrakeet, combined with the extreme brilliancy of its plumage, render it
one of the most lovely of the Pstttacide yet discovered; and in whatever light we regard it, whether
as a beautiful ornament to our cabinets, or a desirable addition to our aviaries, it is still an object of no
ordinary interest.

I regret to say that little is at present known respecting it, further than that it is one of the novelties that
has rewarded Mr. Gilbert’s researches in New South Wales; the upland grassy plains of the east coast of
Australia being the locality in which it was first discovered, and which is in fact the only part of the country
wherein it has as yet been found. The specimens procured were shot on the Darling Downs, where it
was observed in small families feeding on the seeds of grasses and other plants growing on the plains; the
stomachs of those examined were fully distended with grass seeds exclusively.

The sexes, like the generality of the Ps:ttacide, are much alike; but the female, although similarly
marked, is much less brilliant and somewhat smaller than her mate.

Band across the forehead half an inch in breadth, scarlet, fading around the eyes, lores and cheeks into
pale lemon-yellow, which again gradually blends with the green of the under surface ; crown of the head
and nape blackish brown ; sides of the neck to the shoulders verdigris-green with yellowish reflexions ; back
greyish brown ; rump and upper tail-coverts verditer-blue, the longer coverts with a band of black at their
extreme tip ; primaries and secondaries black edged with bluish green; shoulders with a spot of rich ver-
milion; under wing-coverts and edges of the pinions verditer-blue ; two middle tail-feathers olive-brown
at the base, gradually passing into greenish blue at the tip with olive reflexions ; the three outer feathers
on each side with a narrow zigzag band of black at about half their length from the base, then greenish
blue to the tip, the inner webs fading into white near the extremity ; throat and chest yellowish emerald-
green, each feather tipped with verditer-blue; middle of the breast and the sides verditer-blue ; abdomen
and under tail-coverts scarlet ; irides dark brown ; bill horn-colour, becoming blackish grey at the base;
legs and feet yellowish brown.

The figures are of the natural size.