THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
(3) Skin from Melrose, also in the Flinders Range, shows still more red 
both in upper tail-coverts and scapulars. 
(4) Skin obtained at Watervale, April, 1914, by Mr. Parsons, has on the 
under-side the general yellowish ground colour of flaveolus, but 
the fore-head and crown are bright red. The upper tail-coverts 
have a considerable number of red feathers distributed throughout, 
and the general tone of the upper-side is deeper than is usual in 
this species, some of the scapulars are brightly tipped with red 
and the secondaries red fringed. The breast and under tail-coverts 
bright red and yellow. Bright red distributed throughout the 
under-side. 
(5) Skin shot by myself on River Murray, twelve miles above Mannum, 
is fully as red as any of the preceding, but has the mantle and 
shoulders almost black. 
Platycercus adelaiclce Gould. 
(6) Shot by myself at Kangarilla in the Adelaide Hills on 10th November, 
1914, is almost identical with the foregoing, except the pale 
yellowish-green fringe to the feathers of the mantle and scapulars 
is more marked. 
EDWIN ASHBY. 
1 6th June, 1917. 
A recent still more critical review tends to confirm some of Mr. Ashby’s 
views with a very peculiar complex present. Thus, while adelaidce is very 
similar to elegans and Ashby’s new form is still closer, it may be proved later 
that these are truly allies of flaveolus, which would be the species name. 
That flaveolus is a very distinct species from elegans is proven by the fact 
that both live together in the Murrumbidgee District, where flaveolus is typical 
and a much smaller bird than elegans. Consequently the complication is in the 
above-named two forms, which apparent^ are derivatives of elegans , instead 
of which it is suggested they are forms of flaveolus . It is hoped that field 
observation will be undertaken, as I cannot decide with the specimens here, 
and it would be unwise to make any more alterations without better 
knowledge. Nevertheless, I conclude that Ashby is on the right track and 
that his jleurieuensis should go with adelaidce, subadelaidce, flaveolus and 
innominatus as distinct from elegans. 
xviii. 
