THE VAILLANTIAN PARRAKEET. 



rSITTJCUS FAILLANTIA^ SHAW. 



PLATE 25. 



This most elegant species is dedicated to Le- 

 vaillant, a naturalist who spent his life and fortune 

 in the publication of a series of the most splendid 

 books on Ornithology, and which must remain as 

 a monument of industry and refined taste, so long 

 as the natural sciences hold a sway over the human 

 mind. 



The Vaillantian Parrakeet is five inches and a 

 half from the crown of the head to the extremity of 

 the tail. It inhabits the islands of the Southern 

 Pacific Ocean. The crown of the head, the tibial 

 feathers, extending in a circular form round the 

 lower part of the abdomen, are of a bluish purple ; 

 the cheeks, throat, breast, abdomen, and part of the 

 back, are of a rich and deep crimson ; the auchenium, 

 wings, and tail, with the upper and under tail coverts, 

 are of a yellowish green ; the bill, feet, and legs, are 

 yellowish brown, and the claws black. 



This bird is nearly allied to the Purple-headed 

 Parrakeet, but differing in the darker colour of the 

 purple on the head, and in the crimson on its lower 

 parts. 



