PLATE XXXITT. 
PLATYCERCUS SPLEND1DUS. (Gould.) 
SPLENDID PABBAKEET. Genus: Plattcercus. 
IN this bird we have what might be mistaken for a handsome variety of the Platycercus eximius, the difference 
in size and plumage being very slight. Nevertheless it is a distinct species, not numerous in its own special 
locality, and much restricted in its range — two qualities that prove its distinctive character, without taking 
into consideration the change in the plumage. In the Platycercus splendidus we find the centre of the breast only 
a rich scarlet, the sides being gamboge yellow ; the lower part of the abdomen and the upper tail coverts are 
verditer green instead of grass green, and the feathers of the back are broadly margined with rich gamboge 
instead of greenish-yellow. 
Before arriving at maturity this bird closely resembles the Platycercus palliceps, except that the head 
is a decided yellow instead of being a sickly one, and the breast is yellow instead of blue, with indications of the 
rich scarlet of maturity that is never found in Platycercus paUiceps. 
Of its habits and qualities nothing is known, and from that fact alone we may infer that it is of a shy, 
retiring disposition, finding ample sustenance in the seeds and gum blossoms of the more secluded parts of 
Eastern Australia. The only specimen obtained by Gould was shot by Gilbert in what was then a newly-settled 
district to the north of the Darling Downs. It is a large beautiful bird, measuring twelve inches long. 
Head, sides of the neck, and centre of the breast, scarlet; cheeks, white, faintly tinged with blue ; 
feathers of the back and scapularies, black, broadly margined with gamboge yellow ; lower part of the back and 
upper tail coverts, pale green ; on the shoulders a patch of black ; wing coverts, pale blue ; primaries, black, 
with the exception of the basal portion of the external web, which is rich deep blue; two central tail feathers dark 
green at the base, passing into deep blue on the apical half of the external web, and tipped with black ; the next 
on each side is black on the internal web, green at the base of the external web, blue for the remainder of its 
length, and slightly tipped with white. The remainder of the tail feathers are deep blue at the base of the 
external and black at the base of the internal web, the remaining portions of both sides being pale delicate blue, 
passing into white at the tips ; sides of the breast and the abdomen, bright gamboge yellow; vent, pale green 
in some, in others pale bluish green ; under tail coverts, scarlet ; irides, dark brown ; bill, horn colour ; feet, 
mealy brown. 
Habitats: Wide Bay District (Queensland), Interior, New South Wales. 
PLATYCERCUS MAST ERSI ANUS. (Bamsay.) 
MASTEBS' BO S ELLA . Genus: Platycercus. 
rPHIS Parrakeet is an example of the difficulty naturalists labour under in their endeavours to compile a trust- 
worthy and exhaustive work on the natural history of Australia. With their utmost endeavour they can do 
no more than add a little to what has already been said by Gould ; elucidating his surmises in one direction, 
and correcting them in another, according as fresh knowledge is added to that already gleaned by this most 
enthusiastic and thorough scientist. 
