INSESSORES. 51 



Sp. 419. PLATYCERCUS PALLICEPS, Vig. 



Pale-headed Parrakeet. 



Platycercus palliceps, Vig. in Lear's III. Psitt., pi. 19. 

 Moreton Bay Rose-hill, Colonists of New South Wales. 



Platycercus palliceps, Gould, Birds of Australia, foL, vol. v. pi. 26. 



This elegant species of Platycercus is a native of the eastern 

 portions of Australia, and is tolerably numerous at Moreton 

 Bay, where all the specimens I have seen were procured. It is 

 known in Sydney by the name of Moreton Bay Rose-hill, an 

 appellation bestowed on it from its near alliance to the Platy- 

 cercus eximius. The specific name of palliceps has been ap- 

 plied to this bird from the light colouring of the head, which 

 amounts in some specimens to a total absence of colour : 

 this, however, I think, may be attributed to the effects of ex- 

 posure to light, since, in recently moulted birds, there is always 

 a delicate tinge of yellow pervading the crown ; the pale blue 

 of the cheeks also appears to be affected by the same cause, 

 though not to so great an extent. 



It bears confinement remarkably well, and is very docile 

 and familiar, which, added to its very elegant plumage, ren- 

 ders it a general favourite. 



The sexes differ in no respect in outward appearance, with 

 the exception of a slight superiority of size in the male. 



Crown of the head either wholly white or pale gamboge- 

 yellow ; in some specimens also there is a fine line of 

 scarlet crossing the forehead, and the lower part of the 

 cheeks is deep blue ; feathers of the nape, back, and scapu- 

 laries black, broadly margined with gamboge-yellow ; rump 

 in some instances greenish blue, in others this part is strongly 

 tinged with gamboge-yellow ; primaries and secondaries 

 blackish brown, with the base of their external webs deep 

 blue ; greater and lesser wing-coverts, and the shoulders, 

 both above and below, beautiful blue ; that part of the wing 



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