65 



gvjDCK fgEPLER, 

 OR pLACK-^AILED fgARRAKEET, 



Psittacus melanurus. 



Synonyms: Polytelis melanura, Gld.; Palceornis melanurus, Vges.; 



Paloeornis anthopeplus, G-e.; Platycercus melanurus, Schlg.; 



Barrabandius melanarus, Bp., Fnsch.; Psittacus sagittifer melanura et 



P. s. anthopeplus, Bbj. 



Geeman: Per olivengelbe Sittich, oder Per olivengrunlichgelbe 



Plattschweifsittich, Ess. Feench: Perruche melanure, Eousse. 



THIS somewhat soberly-tinted but very charming bird is the Blossom- 

 feathered Parrakeet of Lear, and the Black-tailed Parrakeet of 

 Gould. It is generally known to the dealers and the public by the 

 curious name which he have adopted as its designation in these pages, 

 namely, the Eock Pepler, or Eock Peplar Parrakeet, a compound 

 designation of which we are unacquainted with the etymology, and 

 which we have been unable to trace its origin. 



It is rather a difficult bird to describe, so we shall not attempt to 

 do so in detail, as a glance of the plate will give to the reader a more 

 correct idea of its appearance than a mere verbal description, no 

 matter how elaborate and accurate, could convey. At the same time 

 we may observe that olive of several shades is the prevailing colour 

 of its plumage, in which, however, indigo -blue, crimson, and black find, 

 each, a place. 



It is a native of the south and west of Australia, where it is of 

 sufficiently common occurrence; but is not imported into this country 

 as frequently as some of its congeners, which are not possessed of 

 half its merits as a cage bird, for it is perfectly hardy, that is to say, 

 as far as our experience goes; very docile and teachable, and though, 

 save in a few exceptional cases, it does not learn to speak, it is a 



