PALAORNIS LUCIANL, J. Verr.

Bonaparte’s Parrakeet.

Paleornis Luciana, J. Verr. Rev. et Mag. de Zool., 2nde ser. tom. ii. 1850, p. 598. pl. 13.
erythrogenys, Fras. in Proc. of Zool. Soc. 1850, p. 245, Aves, pl. xxvi.
—_—— Fraseri, T. J. Moore in Horsf. Cat. of Birds in Mus. East Ind. Comp., vol. 11. p. 621.

 

Ir not unfrequently happens that living examples of birds are brought to Europe long before we are in
possession either of skins or mounted specimens of them, or even of a knowledge of the countries of which
they are natives; as an instance in point, | may mention the well-known Grey Parrot (Psittacus erythacus)
of Africa, than which no bird is more common in our menageries, bazaars, &c., while at the same time skins
are so seldom brought that they are scarcely ever to be met with. In like manner, a considerable number
of examples of the present bird have lived in a state of confinement both in this country and on the
continent; but hitherto no skins have, I believe, reached Europe, and we are unaware of what part of the
world it is a native. M. Jules Verreaux, who first characterized the species, took his description from a
bird living in Paris. The accompanying drawing was taken from a specimen now in the Gardens of the
Zoological Society of London; and the only Museum specimens at present known are the two which grace
the fine Derby Museum at Liverpool, both of which birds died in the late Earl of Derby’s aviary at
Knowsley.

That the present species is a native of that part of India known as the Malayan Peninsula, or some one
of the Indian Islands, is almost certain; in the absence, however, of any information on this point, I would
beg to call the attention of those who may be favourably situated for acquiring a knowledge of its habitat,
manners and economy, to the circumstance that any details respecting them will be regarded with especial
interest.

The slightest examination will convince every ornithologist that there is no other species of Parrot with
which this bird could be confounded. Its tail is shorter and more diminutive than that of any of its
immediate congeners, and the rich red of the cheeks extends entirely round the neck: in some specimens
this red colouring becomes very intense, rendering them exceedingly beautiful; the pale emerald-green of its
back, and the still paler hue of its chest, constitute other features by which it may be distinguished. In
disposition it is exceedingly unsocial, and all the specimens I have yet seen in captivity were heavy mopish
birds, which latter trait is both striking and curious, as occurring in a member of the Psittacide.

Comparatively unknown as this bird is, it has already received several names; of these the one which
has the priority is that assigned to it by M. Jules Verreaux, who has called it Luciani, after that great
Prince of ornithologists, Charles Lucien Bonaparte; it was next named erythrogenys by Mr. Fraser, who
described and figured it under this appellation in the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society” for 1850 ;
and, lastly, Mr. Moore having occasion, while assisting Dr. Horsfield in compiling the ‘‘ Catalogue of the
Birds in the Museum of the East India Company,” to institute a comparison of it with other nearly allied
species, remarked that the term erythrogenys had been given by Lesson and Blyth to two other birds or
the same genus; he therefore cancelled Mr. Fraser’s name, and proposed that of /raseri instead ; but this
term must share the same fate, and give place to that of Luczan:, which, as already mentioned, has the
priority.

Crown of the head grass-green; lores black, which colour is indistinctly carried across the forehead ;
cheeks, ear-coverts and sides of the neck vermilion-red, gradually fading or becoming dull rosy-red on the
back of the neck; below the cheeks a broad black moustache; general plumage light green, washed with
silvery-grey on the nape, with yellow on the wings, and with verditer on the rump and upper tail-coverts ;
primaries and secondaries black, all but the first primary broadly margined, and the secondaries also tipped
with green; tail grass-green above, with the apical half of the two centre feathers blue, and the under
surface of the whole yellow; under surface light green, becoming light glaucous on the breast; upper

mandible coral-red, under mandible black ; irides pale straw-yellow ; feet mealy-brown.

The figure is a trifle less than the natural size. The plant is the Garcinia mangostana.

 

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