212 THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 



Genus Ptistes. 



The Red-winged Parrakeet. 



Ptistes erythropterus. 



Queensland, New South Wales, and Northern Territory. 



Green, underneath yellowish-green, interscapular region and scapulars 

 black; lower back and rump deep blue; upper wing-coverts rich crimson- 

 red, with base of feathers yellow, and a few black feathers below the 

 bend of the wing, tail above dark green, beneath dark brown. Total 

 length 13.5 inches, wing 8, tail 5.6, bill 0.75, tarsus 0.68. The eggs (3 

 or 4) measure 1.31 x 1.04 inch. 



This handsome bird is found principally in Queensland, and 

 its beautiful plumage is easily recognised; their eggs are laid 

 usually well down in a hollow tree. 



The Crimson-winged Parrakeet. 



Ptistes coccineopterus. 



North and North-west Australia. 



These birds are very similar to the preceding species, but are 

 considerably smaller, except the bill, which is slightly larger, but the 

 birds are also more richly coloured and the red on the wing more 

 extensive in proportion, and of a more crimson hue. Although not 

 generally found in the same country, they occasionally overlap. Total 

 length 12.3 inches, wing 7.4, tail 5.2, bill 0.76, tarsus 0.67. Their eggs 

 (4; measure 1.24 x 1.03 inch. 



Genus Aprosmictus. 



The King Parrot. 



Aprosmictus cyanopygius. 



Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. 



Adult male: Head, neck aud under surface scarlet, back and wings 

 green, a line bounding the scarlet at the back of the neck, also the 

 rump deep blue; under tail-coverts scarlet, but the base of the feathers 

 dark blue; tail black above, underneath black. Total length 17 inches, 

 wing 8.7, tail 8.5, bill 0.95, tarsus 0.7. The female has the head, nape, 

 back and wings green, chest dull green tinged with red, and abdomen 

 scarlet, tail green. The eggs (4 to 6) measure 1.28 x 1.11 inch. The 

 surface of the egg is slightly roughened. 



These splendid and showy birds range from Victoria to 

 Queensland. Their eggs are difficult to procure, being in holes 

 high up in large trees and in thiclj forest country. The Northern 

 birds, as in most other cases, are smaller than those found in the 

 South. 



