10 PILE ATE D PABBAKEET. 



" Pilate " and the Hawk-headed Parrot, already described, often have 

 a battle royal when the former alights softly on the top of the cage 

 usually occupied by the latter; but when both are out together they 

 are very good friends, and like to explore each other's dwelling, occa- 

 sionally making an exchange; "Pilate" taking possession of "Pinto's" 

 abode, and the latter ensconcing himself in the cage ordinarily occupied 

 by the former. All the same, the Pileated Parrakeet is a decidedly 

 timid bird, and when in the aviary would surrender its place at the 

 seed-box to the smallest of the inmates, without even an attempt at 

 resistance. 



Mr. Lydon's beautiful plate renders a detailed description of the 

 Pileated Parrakeet unnecessary; it will be sufficient to observe that the 

 green of the back and wings and the purple of the breast appear to 

 change into various shades of the same colours, according to the light 

 in which the bird is seen. The same remark holds good, though in a 

 less degree, of the ruby-coloured cap, from which this Parrakeet takes 

 its name, the golden green cheeks and the grey blue under surface of 

 the tail. This appendage is about eight inches in length, and consists 

 of twelve feathers, of which the central pair are the longest and dark 

 green; the next pair are about half an inch shorter than the first, and 

 are pale blue tipped with white; an arrangement of colour that also 

 obtains with the third pair, which are about half an inch shorter than 

 the second; the rest of the tail feathers are without white tips, and 

 very much shorter than the others, the sixth or outside pair not being 

 more than two inches long. 



The beak is long and narrow, of a dull blue, lighter at the tip, and 

 so formed that the horn-coloured tongue can always be seen. The eyes 

 are hazel, and the legs and feet grey. 



Although strong on the wing, and an excellent flyer, the Pileated 

 Parrakeet has long legs, and is very active on the ground, where it 

 passes a considerable portion of its time, walking freely, and running 

 with as much nimbleness as the Grass Parrakeets; to which it seems 

 to bear, in the opinion of the present writer, more affinity than to the 

 Broadtails fPlatycerciJ, with which it is usually classed. 



Gould observes that it feeds mainly on the ground, probably on the 

 seeds of the indigenous grasses. 



The sexes are very much alike in respect of colour, and general 

 appearance, but the adult male has a dull red shade on the rump, 

 which in the female is yellowish green. 



The plumage of the young is all of a dull green, but the cap and 

 cheek patches are already defined, and the change to the adult habit 

 is speedily effected. Little is known of these birds in their wild state 



