GENUS APROSMICTUS. (Gould). 
OF this only one species is known to inhabit Australia ; others are found in New Guinea and the neighbouring 
islands. Their distinguishing feature in opposition to the JPlatycerci is the possession of a well-developed 
os furcatorium, by the presence of which the chest is much developed in depth, and the powers of flight 
correspondingly extended. The habits of the Aprosmictus are chiefly arboral ; their disposition shy and timid, 
which is often construed into moroseness. 
PLATE XXV. 
APROSMICTUS SCAPULATUS. 
KING LOBY. Genus: Aprosmictus. 
POPULARLY known as the King Parrot, the Aprosmictus scapulatus is one of the largest and handsomest, 
not only of the Lories, but of the whole Parrot family (exclusive of the Cockatoos) indigenous to Australia. 
It is generally distributed over the eastern side of the Continent from Wide Bay (Queensland) to 
Gippsland in Victoria, though individual families are very local in their habitations, and appear to be almost 
exclusively restricted to the brushes, particularly those low-lying ones, which suit the casuarince by the humidity 
of their locality. 
The mode of volition adopted by the King Lory approximates so much more nearly to the Ptistes than 
to the JPlatycerci that the former have been generally incorporated with the Aprosmictus by ornithologists until 
within a recent date. It moves gravely, almost ponderously, in a manner that betrays its lethargic disposition. 
It is entirely wanting in that sprightly vivacity so characteristic of the Psittacidce. 
Though capable of being tamed, the process is a slow one, and it never becomes very confiding or apt at 
imitation ; however, its great personal beauty is sufficient recompense to its captor for the lack of more attractive 
qualities, while its tenacity of life seems incapable of succumbing to anything but extreme old age. 
The food of these birds is much the same as other nearly allied species — seeds, berries, and fruits of 
native plants. They evince great partiality for Indian corn, and will leave their shady homes to attack the 
cornfields in large flocks, committing in a short time depredations that are most harrowing to the farmer's heart. 
In Gippsland, where the potato is extensively grown, they have cultivated such a liking for these tubers that they 
are locally known as " Spud Parrots," and are most destructive to the well-being of the potato crops. 
The sexes differ entirely in colour ; all the resplendent glory is left to the male, while the female is clad 
in entire green, excepting the tail coverts, which are dull blue ; the throat and chest are tinged with red, and the 
abdomen and under tail coverts scarlet, The Albino variety of the Aprosmictus scapularis is of a sickly yellowish- 
green colour throughout the entire plumage, having the lower part of the breast and abdomen blotched with red. 
On more occasions than one this Parrot has been found to undergo a most interesting change of plumage during 
a protracted captivity ; the gorgeous red head and breast become a perfect orange, deepening in hue as time 
passes on. 
Head, beak, neck, breast, and abdomen, brilliant military scarlet — in some adult males there is a slight 
tinge of blue showing at the bottom of the scarlet on the back of the neck ; back, rich dark green ; wings, dark 
green, tipped with black ; on the scapularies there is a faint green marking known as " the butterfly " ; tail 
