37 



r.M 



^ELLOW-J^APED fJARRAKEET. 



Psittacus semitorquatus. 



Synonyms: Platycercus semitorquatus, Gld.; 



Barnardius semitorquatus, Bp.; Oonurus cceruleo-barbatus, Brj. 



German: Der JBandsittich, oder Der Plattschweissittich mit 



gelbem Halsband und r other Stimbinde, Russ. 



French: Perruche Bulla Bulla,(?) ou Perruche a Collier Jaune. 



THE French designatian of this handsome and most desirable 

 Parrakeet is manifestly given to it in error, by M. Alf. Rousse, for 

 Bulla Bulla is the name bv which Barnard's Parrakeet is usually known 

 to dealers, and to the Colonists of South Australia and New South 

 Wales; where it is found. A great deal of confusion however exists 

 with regard to these three birds, Barnard's, Bauer's, and the Yellow- 

 naped Parrakeet, which have frequently been confounded with each other, 

 even by scientific writers. The late John Gould, F.R.S., however is an 

 authority, whose decision upon any matter connected with Australian 

 ornithology is not likely to be called in question, and he distinctly 

 differentiates them; and, in our opinion, has thoroughly made out his 

 case, and established them as constituting a distinct group among the 

 Platycerci. 



The subject of the present notice is a considerably larger bird than 

 either Barnard's or Bauer's Parrakeets, approaching Pennant's Broad- 

 tail in size; and presents some very curious contrasts of colour and 

 configuration. It is entirely destitute of os furcatum, and is consequently 

 limited as regards its power of flight, but on the other hand, it runs 

 very swiftly on the ground, and only makes use of its wings when 

 closely pursued. It feeds chiefly on the seeds of the indigenous grasses, 

 and not on the fruit and buds of the native trees, like some of its 

 congeners; which may be the cause or the consequence of the anatomical 

 deficiency above alluded to, as the reader pleases. 



