170 White, Notes upon the Yelloiv-mantled Parrot. [.vf'jan. 



Although the two forms, Platycerciis splendidiis and Platycercus 

 cximhts, are very closely allied, no one can imagine Gould 

 mistaking them. How does it come about, therefore, that the 

 first-named is now found at " Yarrundi," close to Scone, New 

 South Wales, where Gould had his headquarters for some time, 

 and which is so frequently mentioned in his books ? In notes 

 upon Platycercus eximius he remarks * : — •" It is found in great 

 numbers in the district of the Upper Hunter." Such is not the 

 case now, Platycercus splendidiis being the local bird about 

 " Yarrundi " and parts of the Upper Hunter north of that place. 

 Gould apparently did most of his Upper Hunter collecting at 

 " Yarrundi," three miles to the west, and " Segenhoe," live miles 

 to the east of Scone, thence north to the Liverpool Range, this 

 locality being now inhabited exclusively, as far as I can judge, 

 by Platycercus splendidiis. My collection contains skins obtained 

 close to " Yarrundi " house, also from within the municipal 

 boundary of the town of Scone. 



As a boy, 35 years ago, I wandered over a very considerable 

 portion of the Upper Hunter frontages, my j^eople owning several 

 large estates in the locality, and extending upwards of 30 miles 

 both north and south of the town of Scone. I shot many 

 " Rosellas," but cannot remember noting any which had the rich 

 yellow colour of Platvcercus splendidiis. This is no proof, of course, 

 but, taken in conjunction with Gould's statements, I am inclined 

 to think that Platycercus splendidus is gradually moving south 

 and displacing the Rosella, Platycercus eximius. 



Before going further, it may be as well to explain to those who 

 have not travelled over the Brisbane-Sydney railway that the 

 Darling Downs district of Queensland adjoins the north-eastern 

 corner of New South Wales. After leaving the border and coming 

 south (in a direct line) about 60 miles, the town of Glen Innes is 

 passed ; another 60 miles brings us to Armidale, thence 60 miles 

 to Tamworth, and a further stretch of 70 miles to Scone, which 

 place I consider to be just about the southern limit of Platycercus 

 splendidus.-\ How far west of the line the form extends I am 

 unable to say, but not for any distance, I fancy. Fifteen miles 

 south of Scone we have Muswellbrook, where Platycercus eximius 

 is still the local form. Proceeding west from Scone, 30 miles in 

 a direct hne, Merriwa is reached ; my skins show that Platycercus 

 eximius is found there, while still further west, from Cobbora, 

 Mr. T. P. Austin, R.A.O.U., has supplied me with many beautiful 

 specimens of the same form, together with one skin of Platycercus 

 splendidus. Mr. A. J. North quotes Cobbora as being a 

 favourite haunt of Platycercus eximius, therefore we may safely 

 place that bird as the local form.J 



Returning to Scone and going east, we find Platycercus splendidus 



* " Handbook," vol. ii., p. 56. 



t From each of the eibove-nientioned towns I have specimens of Platycercus 

 splendidus, and none of P. eximius. — H. L. W. 

 X " Nests and Eggs," vol. iii., p. 136. 



