16 



4|olden-^rowned 

 Urrakeet of Sew Zealand. 



Psittacus auriceps, Russ. 



Synonyms: Cyanora/mpTius auriceps, Bp.; Cyanorarnphus Malherbi, Snc.; 



Psittacus pacificus, var. d., Gml.; Euphema auriceps, Lchtst.; 



Platycercus auriceps et Malherbi, Gr. German: Per Spring sittich. 



THIS charming bird, one of the most delightful of all the Parrot 

 family, according to Dr. Russ, is, as its English name denotes* 

 a native of New Zealand, as well as the species described in the pre- 

 ceding chapter, and is about the same size as the Turquoisine, but 

 of heavier and less elegant build than the latter bird: the plumage 

 on the upper parts of the body is a dark grass green, with here 

 'and there a shade of blue; on the breast, and abdomen the feathers 

 are of a lighter, or rather a yellower, shade of green than on the 

 back and wings, the front edges of the latter are blue: the tail is 

 dark green above, and grey underneath. 



The legs are long and of a greyish slate colour, the claws black, 

 and of unusual length: the upper mandible is blue with a black tip, 

 and the lower horn colour. Surrounding the beak is a narrow line 

 of an intensely red colour, which seems to be continued into the eye, 

 the iris of which is a brilliant red: the top of the head is pale golden 

 yellow. 



The long shanks of this bird enable it to run and hop with great 

 freedom, and have obtained for their possessor the German name of 

 Spring sittich: it has a curious habit, which seems to be peculiar, and 

 common to the Parrots of New Zealand, of scratching with its feet 

 in the sand and dust after the manner of the Gallinacece, and it also 

 makes use of them to hold its food, after the well-known fashion of 

 the Grey and other large Parrots. 



