162 GARDEN AND AVIARY BIRDS. 



revelation of vivid colour. The head, a patch under the 

 tail, and the upper breast are scarlet, with the cheeks and 

 throat pure white ; the lower breast is yellow, and the 

 back yellow and black ; the wings and tail are rich 

 purple-blue. The hen is nearly as bright as the cock, 

 but has sometimes a green patch in the scarlet at the 

 back of the head. The young show more of this, and 

 are duller altogether, but still much resemble the 

 parents, and cannot be mistaken for anything else. 



This splendid native of Australia has long been export- 

 ed from that country, and has been often bred in capti- 

 vity in Europe. It may frequently be obtained in 

 Calcutta, but is rather dear. It bears captivity very 

 well, and will live for years even in a cage, though an 

 aviary is far more suitable for such active birds as 

 are these broad-tailed Parakeets. In such an abode 

 the Rosella is seen to great advantage, as it constantly 

 flies about, exhibiting its brilliant colours, and often 

 uttering a pleasant note. Caged specimens occasionally 

 talk, but this can hardly be recommended as one of the 

 regular talking Parrots. 



Occasionally one may obtain in Calcutta two other 

 very lovely Parakeets allied to the Rosella, and much 

 resembling it. These are the Mealy Rosella (Platycercus 

 pallidiceps), which has a delicate pale yellow colour 

 where the common bird is red, on the head and upper 

 breast, and the lower breast a beautiful blue ; and 

 Pennant's Parakeet (Platycercus ekgans) which is crimson 

 and purple. The latter is a bigger bird than the other 

 two, and almost entirely olive-green in its first plumage. 



