PLATYCERCIN^. 539 



Subfamily VI. PLATYCERCIN^E. 



Bill short and thick, deeper than long, the lower mandihle 

 generally hidden by the feathers of the checks ; upper mandible 

 swollen on the sides (except in the genus Porphyrocephalus, which 

 has a more compressed and longer bill) ; culmen rounded ; gonys 

 turned up straight and rounded ; upper mandible sometimes notched ; 

 hook of the upper mandible ridged on the under surface, producing 

 a file-like appearance. Cere small, surrounding only the nostrils, and 

 making between them a kind of saddle over the culmen. Tongue 

 simple, except in Nanodes, which has a brush-tongue. Tail rather 

 long, generally longer than the wing ; tail-feathers gradually longer, 

 but in the more typical forms the four middle feathers are of the 

 same length. Wing acuminate, with some of the outermost primaries 

 narrower towards the tips. Plumage much variegated. Furcula 

 wanting, except in Nanodes. 



Range. Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and the Society 

 Islands. 



Key to the Genera. 



a. Tail not banded across from the base to the 

 tip. 

 a'. Tail-feathers rather broad, never acu- 

 minate at the ends. 

 a". Back not uniform, but with the fea- 

 thers black, broadly bordered, and 

 having a scale-like appearance ; bill [p. 540. 



distinctly notched 45. Platycercus, 



b" Back uniform. 



a'". Bill longer than deep ; upper man- 

 dible notched, with the hook much [ L trs, p. 550. 



lengthened 46. Porphyrocepha- 



V" . Bill deeper than long ; upper man- 

 dible not notched. 

 a 1 . A yellow collar round the hind 



neck 47. Barnardius, p. 558. 



6*. No yellow collar round the hiud 



neck. 



« 5 . Bill uniform, with base of 



upper mandible not lighter. 



d'\ Two central tail-feathers 



longer than the following 



pair 48. Psephotus, p. 561. 



b e . Four central tail-feathers 



about the same length .... 49. Neophema, p. 569. 

 6 5 . Bill not uniform, but with 

 base of the upper mandible 

 shining pearl-grey. [p. 577. 



c°. Head not crested 50. Cyaxorhamphus, 



(I s . Head crested 51. Nymphicus, p. 590. 



b'. Tail-feathers narrow and acuminate. 

 c". Upper inaudible notched (orbital 



ring complete ! ) 52. Nanodes, p. 592. 



d". Upper inaudible not notched 53. Melopsittacts. 



[p. 594 



