25 



m 



P.ED ^HINING IgARRAKEET. 



Psittacus splendens, Auctoeum. 



Synonyms: Aprosmictus splendens, Bp v Css.; 



.Platycercus splendens, Hete., G-e.; Pyrrhulopsis splendens, Sch. 



French: Perruche pourpre de Fidji. 



G-eeman: Der Olanzsittich, oder der purpurothe glanzende 



Plattschweissittich, Ess. 



FROM the unanimity with which all the writers who have treated of 

 the subject of the present notice have awarded to it the specific 

 designation splendens, it is natural to conclude that it must be a very 

 strikingly beautiful creature, and that such is really the case, a glance 

 at the life-like figure on the opposite page, will no doubt convince the 

 most sceptical reader. 



Truly the Red Shining Parrakeet, Aprosrnictus, Platycercus, or 

 Pyrrhulopsis splendens, is one of the most remarkable members of the 

 Parrot family, though it is rather a matter of dispute with which 

 sub-family of them it should be connected. The present writer is of 

 opinion that the term Platycercus should be reserved, especially for the 

 distinctive and well-known natural group of the Australian Broadtails; 

 while the sub-generic term Aprosrnictus is an unnecessary distinction, 

 and might very well be abolished. There remains therefore only the 

 term Pyrrhulopsis, which is fairly applicable and sufficiently desirable ; 

 though Dr. Karl Russ rejects it, alluding to it incidentally, with a 

 note of exclamation after it in brackets (!). 



Pyrrhulopsis splendens, the Red Shining Parrot, is a native of the 

 Fiji Islands, especially of the Yiti sub-group of that archipelago, 

 where it used to be very plentiful, and is yet to be encountered in 

 considerable numbers. 



It is by no means a delicate bird, and when fairly acclimatised can 

 stand any weather and almost any kind of treatment. It is very teachable 



