Plati/cercus Ulietanus. 553 



was described by Dr. Latham ; and also that the locality he has 

 assigned the species is most probably correct. That portion of the 

 group of Platycercus to which it seems most closely allied, the 

 P. PactficuSj Ulietanus, and cormitus, are inhabitants of the South 

 Sea Islands. These exhibit a general similarity in their markings: 

 their bills are of a silvery colour at the base, with a black apexy 

 and the plumage is more plain in general than that of their con- 

 geners of the Australasian continent. These latter indeed are 

 particularly distinguished by the variety and beauty of their plu- 

 mage, in which there is also a general uniformity in the disposition 

 of the colours ; and some species of them which may decidedly be 

 considered the most beautiful of the family, such as the P. Brownii 

 and Baueri, seem to retrieve the whole group from the charge of 

 being too gaudy and imposing in their plumage, by the extreme 

 delicacy of the azure, white, and lemon colours that predominate 

 in theirs. This similarity of colouring is often an important guide 

 to the knowledge of the geographical distribution of groups : and 

 in the present instance may be cited in corroboration of the cor- 

 rectness of the locality which Dr. Latham has subjoined to 

 tliis species. But such a mode of reasoning must be adverted to 

 with caution. Our science is founded on facts, and not on theory : 

 and where there is a dilference in the statemenis of authours 

 respecting a matter of fact, we must wait for a further knowledge 

 of that fact alone, and not have recourse to conjecture, to decide 

 between them. 



Ulietanus. Lath. P. olivaceus, sublus Jlavus, capKe, cauduy 

 remigibiiscjue brmmeo-fuscis, ufop^/gio obscure cocdneo. 

 Tab. Sup. 3. 

 Mundibula superior argentca, apice nigro; inferior nigra. 

 Rectriccs fusca;, subtus pallidiores. Pectus a/^ do men (pie flava. 

 Longitudo corporis 10^; mandibulce supcrioris ad frontem -J-*, 

 ad rictum { ; tarsi ^. 



IIji)itat in Insula Ulielea Maris Pacific!. 

 In Mus. lirit. 



