GENUS POLYTELIS (Nagler.J 
rrUHS is a small genus comprising, so far as at present known, only three species, two of which are 
J common to the central and southern parte of Australia, the third is a tropical bird of limited range. 
The family seems to occupy a position midway between t he PaUeorni of India and the Platycerci of 
Australia, and forms an isolated group among the Psittacidxc. 
The sexes vary so much that Vigors described them as distinct species. The male is by far the 
handsomer, hut they both have the distinguishing mark of long and very fine tails. 
POLYTELIS BARK A HAND I. 
BABBABAND'S P ABB A KEEP OB GREEN LEEK. Genus: Polytelis. 
rpHE male of this bird is perhaps one of the most beautiful of the Parrot tribe, both from its colouring 
and form, being singularly graceful and well proportioned. The length of its tail is a striking feature, 
for out of tin' fifteen inches of total length, eight of them belong to the slender, pointed tail. 
rphe <■ Iim ., t name, Barraband, was bestowed on it in compliment to the French bird painter, but it 
is most commonly known as the Green Leek. It is very numerous in New South Wales and Victoria, where 
it is a favourite cage bird, from its affectionate and demonstrative disposition; but it is a poor talker, nor 
does it bear confinement well, soon succumbing to the effects of unsuitable food and restricted space. 
The Green Leek, though by no means widely distributed, is migratory within that limit, speeding 
from colony to colony or district to district as the migratory instinct seizes it; and this very habit may be 
a prime cause for its being a bad cage bird, for, no doubt, change of scene, air, and food arc a necessity of its 
life. Authorities are divided as to the food it most affects ; probably it lives partially upon the blossom of 
gum and wattle trees, and partially upon insects, showing its connection with the Platycerci in this particular. 
In differentiating this whole genus we are not much further advanced than Selby and Jardine who wrote 
many years ago. 
• In this handsome bird we have one of those interesting forms which so beautifully connect groups 
otherwise distanl and far removed: for though the character and shape of the tail, the w r ell-defined ring or 
neck-collar, the proportions of the wings, etc., evidently place it in this genus (Palyceornis), its elevated tarsi 
and feet (.sic.) show an approach to the Broad-tailed division (PlatycircinaJ, which stands at the further 
extremitv of the Psittacean family. It is also a native of New Holland, in which interesting country so 
many species of Platycircus have been discovered, the rest of the King Parrakeets, being the greater part of 
them natives of Continental India, and its neighbouring islands . . . It ( the barrabandi) was first figured 
by Mr. Swainson in his elegant and valuable ' Illustrations,' under the name of the Psittiacus barrabandi, from 
a skin in the possession of Mr. Leadbeater . . . Judging from the proportion of its legs and feet, we are 
led to suppose that it is more terrestrial in its habits than its congeners, or that, in addition to its scansorial 
or grasping powers, it possesses superior activity and moves with greater facility upon the ground." 
Nothing is known of its nidification. The egg is white, but less round than Parakeets' generally are, 
and more the shape of the Cockatoos'. Length, one inch tw r o lines and a-quarter, breadth, eleven lines. 
The female is far less beautiful than the male ; the green is duller, and the orange and red markings 
about the head and throat are wanting ; instead there is a little plum colour on the throat and upper part 
of breast, and a little orange-red about the thighs. The young males have a similar plumage for the first year. 
The adult male has a general plumage of rich pure green ; the under surfaces faintly tinged with 
vellow ; forehead, cheeks, throat orange-yellow with slight touches of red ; a crescent marking of vivid red 
