This i-> essentially a tropical bird, as it is only found within the northern territory of Queensland as far 
south as Rockingham Hay; therefore, there is, happily, no tear of its extermination from the attention of cockney 
sportsmen. 
The general appearance conveys the impression of a small immature Palliceps. The forehead is pale 
yellow, spotted with red ; cheeks, yellowy-white ; throat, bright blue ; under surfaces, pale yellow, each feather 
faintly tipped with black; yellow of abdomen tinned with green or lazuline-blue ; back and shoulders, black, 
margined with pale yellow ; primaries, brown at tip, changing to blue up to shoulders; wing coverts, black, 
tipped with metallic-blue, deepening to violet; two central tail feathers, metallic-green, tipped with brown ; other 
Feathers, violet : under surfaces, pale blue, tipped with white ; vent, red ; tail coverts, greeny-yellow ; bill, dark 
at base, horny at tip ; feet, i, r rey. 
Habitats: Port Darwin. Pori Bssington, Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Kockingham Bay (Queensland). 
1*1. A T Y ( E R( I S B ARNARD1. 
BA UNA JUT S PA RRAKEET. Genus: Platycerctjs. 
IN dealing with the Psittacidce, it is a matter of no little difficulty to find words adequate and varied enough to 
describe the many shades and combinations of the gorgeous tropical plumage with which they are clothed. 
No word-painting could possibly convey a full conception of the fine distinctions of colour in different birds 
that are closely allied, and even the plate is a watery reflection of the brilliant original that glances like a 
rainbow flash among the sombre foliage of an Australian forest. 
Barnard's l'arrakeet is noticeable for the peculiar harmony of its predominant colours — yellow, green, 
and blue — aa well as for the orange-red scimitar-like band that divides the breast of many individuals, though its 
place is not unfrequently taken by a round patch of crimson on a yellowish ground. This yellow band reappears 
is a collar round the neck, and as two other Australian Parrots are similarly marked (Bauer's and. Semi-tor quat us), 
the three varieties are frequently confused together by those who do not know the distinctions. 
This particularly handsome bird is only to be found inland, disporting itself in happy freedom along the 
borders of the great inland river system, for it has never been seen further east than the Liverpool Plains, from 
thence westward, towards the Darling and the rivers that have Lake Alexandria for their common estuary, it is 
frequently met with. In the mallee country it is locally known as the Scrub Parrot. 
It is usually to be met with in small flocks of from five to ten, feeding among the tall grasses or perched 
on high trees, particularly among gum trees, and lives upon both tree seeds and grass seeds. It has a gentle 
tractable disposition, which takes most kindly to captivity. 
The first pair that were introduced into England were taken there by Gould, who presented them to the 
Earl of Derby for the aviary at Knowsley. 
I n its habits of niditieation it follows the same customs as its near congeners, and lays eggs of a roundish 
oval shape, and white in colour, which measure one inch two lines long by ten lines and three-quarters broad. 
This is one of the finest of the Platycerci, and measures thirteen inches in length. There is scarcely 
any perceptible difference in the sexes ; but the males are always the larger and handsomer birds. In the 
female, too, the top of the head is darker, and the breast marking is either very faint or entirely absent. The 
young birds have brown heads, slightly shot with yellow, followed by a band of bluish-brown ; the yellow collar 
takes a greenish tinge, and the breast marking is always yellowish instead of crimson, as seen in older birds. 
