105 



and secondaries assume the form of bars ; tail similar but paler, and 

 with the barred form of the markings still more distinct ; centre of 

 the throat and chest brownish white, minutely freckled with brown ; 

 sides of the neck and breast and all the under surface similar, but 

 with a dark line of brown down the centre and two large nearly 

 square-shaped spots of brow-nish irbite near the tip of each feather ; 

 bill and feet horn-colour. 



Totai length, 20inches; bill, 2| ; -vving, 9į ; tail, 10; tarsi, 1. 



In another specimen the markings are altogether of a much darker 

 hue, particularly on the under surface, where the light markings are 

 less distinct and more chestnut. 



Hab. The brushes of the Clarence and MacLeay rivers of New 

 South Wales. 



Remark. — This species difFers from all its Australian allies by the 

 more lengthened form of the tail and the conspicuous tuft of fea- 

 thers which spring from the fore-part of the head, and it is from this 

 character the specific name has been taken. 



Plattcercos splendidus. Plat. capite, colli lateribus, et medio 

 pectore, coccineis ; genis albis ; dorso inferiore, et tectricibus caudee 

 superioribus pallidi viridibus ; lateribus pectoris, et abdomine 

 splendide flavis ; crisso palUde viridi. 



Head, sides of the neck and centre of the breast scarlet ; cheeks 

 •white, faintly tinged -roith blue ; feathers of the back and scapularies 

 black, broadly margined with gamboge-yellow ; low'er part of the 

 back and upper taU-coverts pale green ; on the shoulder a patch of 

 black ; wing-coverts pale blue ; primaries black, with the exception 

 of the basai portion of the extemal web, which is rich deep blue ; 

 two centrai tail-feathers dark green at the base, passing into deep 

 blue on the apical half of the extemal -vveb, and tipped with black ; 

 the next on each side is black on the internal web, green at the base 

 of the external web, blue for the remainder of its length, and slightly 

 tipped with \vhite ; the remainder of the tail-feathers are deep blue 

 at the base of the external, and black at the base of the internal \veb, 

 the remaining portion of both webs being pale delicate blue, passing 

 into ^vhite at the tip ; sides of the breast and the abdomen bright 

 gamboge-yellow ; vent pale green in some, in others pale bluish 

 green ; under tail-coverts scarlet ; irides dark brown ; bill horn- 

 colour ; feet mealy brown. 



Totai length, 12 inches ; bill, f; wing, 6; tail, 7 ; tarsi, |. 



Another specimen, probably immature, has the general colour 

 similar, but has the head and breast pale yellow, interspersed Tvltb 

 scarlet feathers. 



Hab. Darling Downs, New South Wales. 



Remark. — Very nearly alUed to, but a more beautiful species 

 than, the Platycercus eximius, from w-hich it differs in the extent of 

 the scarlet on the breast, which in this species merely occupies the 

 centre, while in the former it forms a broad band across the breast ; 

 the rump also is of a paler green. 



" A Description of new species of Ostrecc, in the collection of H. 

 Cuming, Esq.," by Sylvanus Hanley, Esq., was then read: — 



