^°i9i6^'] WniTK, Notes upon the Yellow-mantled Pco-rot. IJl 



[ilentitul at " Belltrees," 20 miles away, while it is noted also from 

 the Manning, Bellinger, and Clarence Rivers, all east coast waters. 

 With the exception of an ahnormally coloured specimen procured 

 at Foster,* Mr. North does not mention Platycercns eximius from 

 the north coast of New South Wales. If my observations be 

 correct (the specimens speak for themselves), the whole of that 

 part of New South Wales lying east of the Brisbane-Sydney 

 railway line, as far south as Scone, is the habitat of Platycercns 

 splendidiis, while probably the bird does not extend very far 

 west of the line. 



Taking it for granted that Gould was correct in })lacing Platycercns 

 eximius as our local bird at Scone, I did not pay much attention 

 to the matter until the late severe winter, during which I fed the 

 native birds in my garden. Gradually enticing the Parrots closer 

 to the windows of my ofBce, I at last induced the birds to feed 

 from the verandah, where I first observed the dark yellow of the 

 hack feathers. A few specimens secured about a mile away con- 

 vinced me that I was amongst Platycercns splendidns and not 

 Platycerctts eximius. I then approached friends in various 

 localities north, west, and south of " Belltrees," with the inter- 

 esting results stated above. 



There is no doubt that the two forms are very closely allied, 

 and many of the less brightly coloured birds are almost identical 

 in shade ; but a compaiison of fully adult specimens shows 

 differences which probably justify a sub-specific separation. The 

 habits of the two forms are exactly similar, and the eggs are not 

 separable. 



I do not claim my deductions to be absolutely correct, but the 

 above remarks may lead to further investigation, and the final 

 clearing up of the mystery which has surrounded this interesting 

 and " long-lost " bird. 



fThe re-discovery by Mr. H. L. White of the most beautiful 

 Yellow-mantled Parrot is interesting, and demonstrates the value 

 of close bird-observation in one's own district, as well as striving 

 for knowledge in regions beyond. — Eds.] 



Remarks on the Proposed Second Edition of the 

 ** Official Checklist of the Birds of Australia/' 



By Gregory M. M.^thews, F.R.S.E. 



Ix the October Emn there appears an account of the proposition 

 to prepare a second edition, and comments are made with regard 

 to my work on the birds of Australia. I propose to make remarks 

 here illustrative of my conclusions, so that an " intelHgent vote " 

 can be taken in connection with them. 



Firstly. I wish to thank the writer for the kindly appreciation 



* " Nests and Eggs," vol. iii., p. 128. 



