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confiderable diverfity of plumage takes place; fo great as to caft a doubt 

 over the fpecics, and prevent it from being at all times accurately afcertained. 



This beautiful Parrot perhaps exceeds moft of its tribe in the richnefs 

 and fplendor of its appearance. It belongs to the divifion of the genus 

 known by the name of long-tailed Parrots, (Pfittaci macrouri) and may be 

 placed among the fpecies commonly called Lories. The general colour of the 

 bird is the richeft fanguine red, fomewhat lighter on the under part of tlie body. 

 The feathers on the back are black, edged with red. The fhoulder parts or 

 coverts of the wings are of a moft elegant lucid blue, which towards the 

 middle of the wing becomes fomewhat darker, and accompanied by a tinge 

 of green. Juft above the axillas or inferior bend of the wings the black 

 runs out on each fide into a broadlfli fpot with fliarpened extremities. The 

 tail is very long and cuneated : the two middle feathers tinged with 

 green, the reft a rich deep blue, the edges being more vivid than the other 

 parts. The rump is of the fame fanguine red with the reft of the bird. 

 The legs and claws are black or nearly fo. The beak of a whitifh yellow, 

 lead coloured at the bafe ; and on each fide of the under mandible is a 

 patch of feathers of a very rirh lucid blue, which feems to be one of the 

 moft diftinguidaed marks of the fpecies, fince in all which I have yet feen 

 it has been uniformly confpicuous. 



This curious bird is a native of New Holland, and has been named by 

 Mr. Latham the Pennantian Parrot, in honour of the clebrated Mr. Pennant; 

 but as trivial names fliould if pofTible always be contrived in fuch a manner 

 as to convey fome idea, (even tho' an indiftindl one,) of the fubjeil itfelG 

 I have therefore thought it more advifeable to give a name which might 

 in fome degree point out the beauty of the bird, and have accordingly 

 called it Pfittacus fplendidus, 



CER- 



