TRICHOGLOSSUS SWAIN SONIl. 



(Swainson's Lorikeet.) 



Head, sides of the face, and throat, blue, with a stripe of lighter blue down the centre of each feather ; an occipital band of greenish yellow ; 

 all the upper surface, rich grass green— in some specimens blotched behind the neck with scarlet ; wings, deep grass green ; inner webs of 

 primaries, black, crossed by an oblique band of yellow; upper surface of tiiil, green — the two central feathers tinged with blue towards the 

 tip ; under surface of the inner webs of tail feathers, greenish yellow ; tips and outer webs, olive grey ; chest, under surface of shoulder, and 

 flanks, rich orange scarlet (these portions vary much in the coloring of diff"orent specimens, no two being alike — sometimes having a large 

 admixture of lunate patches of rich orange yellow, and towards the lower part of the chest crescentic marks of bluish purple, which is the 

 color of the abdomen) ; under tail coverts, yellow, tipped with green ; bill, scarlet, tipped with yellow ; nostrils and space surrounding the 

 eye, brownish black ; irides, scarlet, with a yellow ring next the pupil ; feet, greyish olive. The sexes are alike. 



Expanse, 17 inches ; length, 12 ; wing, 6| ; tail, 6i ; bill, | ; tarsus, \ ; mid-toe, 1^. 



This magnificent but very common species is found throughout the whole of the eastern coast of Australia, and occasionally in 

 Tasmania, being especially abundant in the neighborhood of Brisbane. Large flocks may be seen at such times as the different species of 

 Eucalyptus come into blossom. It migrates from one part of the country to another as these trees successively flower, their principal food 

 being honey. A gorgeous and animated scene presents itself to the observer when a large flock is engaged feeding high up among the rich 

 glossy foliage of some giant of the forest, darting about from branch to branch, uttering their shrill screams, and clinging and climbing in 

 every conceivable position, often in company with other parrots similarly engaged. A large number may often be obtained when they are 

 thus occupied. Though several may fall at each discharge of the gun, so absorbing is their employment that a considerable time frequently 

 elapses before they are fairly driven off, when in an instant, with whirlwind rush and deafening screams, the whole flock depart to some more 

 secure locality. The popular name of this bird is the Blue Mountain Parrot, probably so named by the first colonists of Sydney in conse- 

 quence of its being plentiful on the Blue Mountains near. 



Many attempts have been made to cage this handsome bird, but in nearly every case without success. Eor a short time all 

 seems to go on very well, but when the owner least expects it generally dies suddenly. Exceptions occasionally, though very rarely, occur ; 

 special precautions being taken to protect it against cold, and also to furnish it with food as nearly like that to which it is naturally 

 accustomed. Its disposition is mild and afl:ectionate, and it may be taught to use articulate sounds. A fine example was kept near Brisbane 

 for seven years, and was so tame and familiar that it was allowed the full range of the house, its cage door being always open. "When flocks 

 of its own species were feeding on the trees close by it would join their company, and, after associating with them for a short time, return. 

 It exhibited great partiality for a cat, on whose back it used to climb and remain seated for hours together. This bird was fed entirely upon 

 bread and sugar. I have been credibly informed of another instance of a specimen being kept for the long space of thirteen years. Its food 

 was dry bread, a diet which I suspect it must have been brought to by degrees. This species breeds in the holes of trees, the mangrove not 

 unfrequently being selected for the purpose. The eggs are five in number, white, very round, and nearly an inch in length. 



TMCIIOGLOSSUS RUBITOEQUIS. 



(Bed-collared Lorikeet.) 



Head and cheeks, resplendent blue, lighter down the middle of each feather; throat, olive green; chest, scarlet; a narrow band of the same 

 color across the occiput, followed by another of bright blue — the basal portions of the feathers of the latter, scarlet ; upper surface and 

 wings, rich grass green ; basal half of the inner webs of the primaries, yellow ; centre of abdomen, deep olive black — the basal portions of each 

 feather, scarlet ; lower part of the abdomen, yellow, mottled with green ; under tail coverts, green ; irides, red, with a narrow ring of yellow 

 next the pupil ; bill, scarlet ; feet, greenish grey. 



Length, 12 inches ; wing, 6 ; tail, 5| ; bill, | ; tarsus, i. 



Northern Australia alone seems to be the exclusive habitat of this lovely species. Since the opening of Port Albany, at the 

 northern extremity of the Cape York peninsula, I was in hopes that it would be found to be a denizen of that portion of the continent, but 

 have hitherto seen no specimen from thence, and have reason to believe that it does not extend its range to the eastward of the Gulf of 

 Carpentaria. What its southern range may be still remains to be determined. Gilbert found this species numerous at Port Essington, and 

 says that in habit it assimilates in all respects to its congener, T. Swainsonii. The figure is from an Adam Bay specimen, kindly lent by 

 E G. Waterhouse, Esq., of the Museum, Adelaide. 



