PLATYCERCUS PALLICEPS, Fig.

Pale-headed Parrakeet.

Platycercus palliceps, Vig. im Lear’s Il. Psitt., pl. 19.
Moreton Bay Rose-hill, Colonists of New South Wales.

 

Tus elegant species of Platycercus, which, up to the present time, has been more frequently seen alive in
a state of captivity than preserved in our zoological collections, is a native of the eastern coast of Australia,
and is tolerably numerous at Moreton Bay, where all the specimens I have seen were procured. It is known
in Sydney by the name of Moreton Bay Rose-hill, an appellation bestowed on it from its near alliance to the
Platycercus eximius. The specific name of padliceps has been applied to this species from the light colouring
of the head, which amounts, in some specimens, to a total absence of colour: this however, I think, may be
attributed to the effects of exposure to light, since, in recently moulted birds, there is always a delicate tinge
of yellow pervading the crown ; the delicate blue on the cheeks also appears to be affected by the same cause,
though not to so great an extent.

It bears confinement remarkably well, and is very docile and familiar, which, added to its very elegant
plumage, renders it a general favourite.

Crown of the head and cheeks either wholly white or pale gamboge-yellow ; in some specimens also there
is a fine line of scarlet crossing the forehead, and the lower part of the cheeks is deep blue; feathers of
the nape, back and scapularies black, broadly margined with gamboge-yellow ; rump in some instances
greenish blue, in others this part is strongly tinged with gamboge-yellow; primaries and secondaries
blackish brown, with the base of their external webs deep blue; greater and lesser wing-coverts, and the
shoulders, both above and below, beautiful blue; that part of the wing nearest the body black ; all the
under surface verditer-blue, with the exception of the under tail-coverts, which are scarlet; two middle
tail-feathers greenish blue; the basal half of the remainder being blackish-brown on their internal webs,
rich deep blue on their outer webs, and the terminal half delicate pale blue, passing into white at the tip ;
bill horn-colour ; irides blackish brown ; feet dark mealy brown.

The sexes differ in no respect in outward appearance, with the exception of a slight superiority of size in
the male.

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

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