PLATE XXX. 
PLATYCERCUS FLAYEOLUS. 
YELLO W-B TJMPED PA BBAKEET. Genus : Platycercus. 
IT may be said that Parrakeets, as a whole, are gorgeous, from the diversity of their colouring, rather than 
beautiful from the harmonious blending of their plumage ; but there are some exceptions, and the 
Platycercus flaveolus, of which we are now speaking, is one of them. It may be described as a harmony in 
blue and canary-yellow, and is an exceedingly lovely bird. But one is even more struck with the beauty and 
colouring of its fan-shaped tail, which is a most important integral of the entire bird. 
We have yet to learn much more of those tricks of manner and habits, adapting it to the position in the 
family to which it belongs, that make bird-life so interesting, for not a great deal is yet known of the Platycercus 
flaveolus. It is abundant on the banks of the Lachlan and Darling Rivers, whence Captain Sturt procured the 
first specimens that were sent to England. 
The sexes are alike, except that the colours of the female are far less brilliant than her mate, and they 
are about the same size as the Bosella — perhaps a little larger. 
Both arboral and terrestrial, as grass seed feeders they seek most of their food upon the ground, but 
perch among the gum trees, and probably make a dessert of the honey in the cups of eucalyptus blossoms. 
They are hardy, lively, and beautiful— three qualities that recommend them as valuable acquisitions to an aviary, 
and, further, can be rendered very tame if they are captured young ; but their imitative powers are not great — 
they rarely learn more than a few short words or sentences. 
In its natural state, the Platycercus flaveolus breeds in the hollow of limbs ; but it is difficult to find 
their nests, as they are chosen in most inaccessible spots. Incubation extends from September to February, 
during which time two breeds of four or five young ones are reared, which remain with the parents till the 
following spring, when they separate, and each pair set up house-keeping on their own account. 
Prom the fact that the young ones assume the garb of the adult birds at a very early age, we infer that 
there is very little variation of plumage. 
Porehead, crimson ; cheeks, sky-blue ; head, neck, breast, abdomen, and upper tail coverts, canary- 
yellow ; back and shoulders, black, margined with yellow ; spurious wing and outer feathers of tertiaries, violet- 
blue ; tertiaries, secondaries, and base of primaries, pale blue, deepening as it descends ; tips of primaries, brown ; 
central tail feathers, olive-green at base, passing into deep blue towards tip ; remaining feathers, deep blue at 
base, passing into pale blue towards the tip ; inner webs, brown, tipped with white ; irides, black ; bill, horn 
colour ; feet, dark brown; total length, thirteen inches and a quarter. 
Habitats : New South Wales, Interior, and Victoria. 
PLATYCERCUS FLAYIYENTRIS. 
YELLOW-BELLIED BAB BA KEEP. Genus: Platycercus. 
THIS decidedly handsome bird is found dispersed over Tasmania, the islands of Bass' Straits, and South 
Australia ; and is sometimes found associated with the Platycercus eximius, though it does not follow the 
same rule of inhabiting a circumscribed locality. This is a bird of strong family affection, as is proved by the 
circumstance that it is found in small companies, which are usually the brood of a single pair. 
