188 SAPPHIRE-CROWNED PSITTACULE. 



elusive ; for ourselves, we have not had an opportu 

 nity of tracing these birds through their different 

 stages, but we know, that, in size, and in a great 

 measure in colour, they nearly agree, and Mr Swain- 

 son himself has noticed in his description the resem - 

 blance of the vernalis to the galgulus, in tne pecu- 

 liar colour of the under surface of the wings, with- 

 out, however, any remarks or conjecture as to the 

 probability of their belonging to the same species, 

 under different states of plumage or age. In re- 

 taining the generic title of Psittaculus for this and 

 some other diminutive forms belonging to the In- 

 dian islands and those of Australia, we do not in- 

 clude all the species embraced by Kuhl's section of 

 that name, or even the genus of Wagler, which, 

 though more restricted, admits of birds marked by 

 strong differential characters, and widely separated, 

 so far as regards their geographical distribution. In 

 the state we have figured it, the upper parts are 

 of a fine lively green, with the exception of the 

 rump and upper tail-coverts, which are crimson-red, 

 and it shews but a slight indication of the fine blue, 

 which marks the crown of the adult. In the ma- 

 ture state, also, the throat, instead of being orange- 

 coloured, is of a fine red, and a crescent of orange- 

 yellow encircles the lower part of the hind neck. 

 The bill in the adult is reddish-black ; in the young 

 and female it is red* 



