PLATE XXVIII. 
PLATYCERCUS PALLICEPS. 
TALE-HEADED PABBAKEET, or MEALY BOSELLA. Genus: Platycerctts. 
THIS species is restricted in its habitations to the eastern portions of Australia, and is particularly numerous in 
that part of Queensland formerly known as Moreton Bay. Eound Sydney it is recognised as the Moreton 
Bay Rosehill (or Rosella) Parrot, from its near relationship to the Platycercus eximius. 
The specific name, Palliceps, was bestowed upon it in consequence of the light yellow plumage of the 
head — always faint, and sometimes entirely absent ; but the cause in this case is generally attributed to the 
natural fading of the feathers before moulting, as freshly-plumaged birds have a delicate canary-yellow tint all 
over the head. 
The very name, Mealy Rosella, expresses a volume in itself, and gives an impression of the generally 
sickly appearance of the bird, which is fully carried out in its plumage ; and as there is always a certain 
correspondence between the outward form and the inward spirit of individuals, one is not surprised to learn it is, 
in all respects, a washed-out reproduction of its near congener, the Platycercus eximius. It is neither 
sprightly nor hardy ; dull and uninteresting by itself, it is quarrelsome among its fellows, and tyrannical 
when placed in an aviary with smaller birds. 
The food of the Mealy Rosella is almost identical with that of the Rosella Parrakeet, but it requires 
more insect food. In the agricultural parts of the country the cereal crops of the farmers offer an irresistible 
temptation, especially maize, upon which it preys, fearless alike of gun or scarecrow. 
Before nidification a hollow is sought in some gum tree, by preference an apple gum tree [eucalyptus 
stimrtiana), whose delicate green drooping foliage and gnarled limbs afford both shelter and beauty to the low- 
lying flats, where it flourishes best. Here two oval white eggs are laid, in size six inches three lines long by ten 
lines and three-quarters broad. 
The Queensland Palliceps is larger and finer than that from New South Wales, and measures twelve 
inches and a-half in length. 
The only perceptible difference in the sexes is a slight superiority of the male in size. 
The plumage of the head is pale canary-yellow ; cheeks, white ; throat, pale stone colour ; breast, pale 
blue, faintly outlined with grey lines ; under tail covert, scarlet ; wings, shades of violet and blue ; back, 
dark grey, mottled with yellow ; tail, metallic-blue in centre, shading off into violet ; irides, brown ; feet, grey. 
Habitats : Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, New South Wales, interior. 
PLATYCERCUS ICTEROTIS. 
YELLOW-CHEEKED PABBAKEET. Genus Platycercus. 
IT would seem that the Platycerci are unlike other members of the Psitiacidce in that individual species are 
usually restricted in their habitat to a peculiar locale, even though the genus is widely distributed. The 
Platycercus icterotis is a notable example of this distinguishing trait, for it is not yet positively known to 
extend beyond Western Australia. There, however, it makes up for its restricted position by being one of the 
commonest birds of the country, and may be seen at any time except during the breeding season, familiarly 
frequenting the settlements. 
