D. Seth-Smith—The Naretha Parrakeet, a New Blue-bonnet 11


amusement seems to be cutting up all the woodwork they can get at,

perches, etc.


Mme. Lecallier has now three pairs, two having been brought over

by Mr. A. S. Le Souef, and I hope to breed from these, perhaps not this

year, but one never knows what to expect from birds, as I find some

lay the first year and others not before the second or third year.



THE NARETHA PARRAKEET, A NEW

BLUE-BONNET

By D. Seth-Smith


The formation of the Transcontinental Railway which links Western

Australia to South Australia has opened up a. considerable amount of

more or less unexplored country, and it was only to be expected that

nev types of birds would be discovered. A very interesting one, from

the aviculturists’ point of view is described and illustrated in the

October number of the Emu, by Mr. H. L. White, a well-known

Australian ornithologist. It is a typical “ Blue-bonnet ” Parrakeet,

but differs considerably in coloration from the well-known red-vented

and yellow-vented forms. The forehead and lores are verditer green,

the ultamarine blue of the other species being confined in the hen-bird

to the cheeks. There is more yellow on the wing-coverts than in the

commoner species, and the rump is a brighter yellow.


Mr. H. L. White had secured the services of Mr. F. L. Whitlock, an

experienced bird collector, to explore the western portion of the great

Nullarbor Plain. A camp was formed at Zanthus, some 130 miles east

of Kalgoorlie, where there is a station on the new line, and here the

collector discovered a Parrakeet in a cage, the property of one of the

railway officials. It appeared to be different from any species he knew,

and he ascertained that it had been captured at Naretha, some 75 miles

to the east. Proceeding thither, he was soon able to secure specimens

which, on comparison, proved to be new to science. The bird has been

named Psephotus naretkce by Mr. White.



