THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
figured by Bourjot St. Hilaire in Ms continuation of Le Vaillant’s Perroquets. 
The last named gave the fact that it had been collected by Peron when he 
accompanied Captain Baudin. This fixes the locality whence it was procured 
as King George’s Sound. From that place the adult was figured and named 
by Quoy and Gaimard in 1830, the Kuhlian specimen being in immature 
plumage. Simultaneously the adult was named by Vigors and figured in 
Lear’s “ Parrots.” This last name was commonly accepted until Finsch in 
1868 revived KuM’s name. Wagler had suggested the identity as long ago as 
1832, and Pucheran confirmed tMs in 1853. 
Gould’s notes are reproduced here : “ The Red-capped Parrakeet is an 
inhabitant of Western Australia, where it is rather numerously dispersed over 
the country from King George’s Sound to the northern limits of the colony. 
I have also received specimens from the neighbourhood of Port Essington. It 
is usually seen in small families feeding on the ground, but upon what kind 
of food it subsists has not been ascertained. The breeding-season extends 
over the months of October, November, and December. The hollow dead 
branch of a gum- or maliogany-tree is the place usually chosen by the female 
for the reception of her eggs, which are milk-white and from seven to nine in 
number, about an inch and an eighth long by seven-eighths of an inch broad. 
The flight of this species, although swift, is not of long duration, nor is it 
characterised by those undulating sweeps common to the members of the 
genus Platycercus. Its voice is a sharp clucking note several times repeated, in 
which respect it also offers a marked difference from these birds.” 
In this note Gould records the species from Port Essington : this is a very 
distinct bird so that it would seem impossible for a mistake to have been made, 
yet since Ms time I have no records from that locality and do not know of the 
existence of any authenticated specimens. 
Mr. Tom Carter’s notes on Purpureicephalus spurius are as follows : “ This 
handsome bird occurs generally through the south-west, and about Broome 
Hill, but not in great numbers. I have observed them on the Vasse, Margaret, 
Blackwood and Warren Rivers. They seem to feed a great deal on the ground, 
especially in the Marlock scrubs about Broome Hill, but what seeds they were 
eating I could not ascertain. They also eat fruits in orchards, but are not nearly 
so bold in their habits as semitorquatus. They have a peculiar harsh grating 
cry. The breeding-season seems to be mostly in August and September, and 
the nesting cavities usually about thirty feet from ground. Oct. 26, 1908. 
Nest in hole (4 inches diameter) 30 ft. from ground in White Gum : contained 
young. Nov. 24, 1908. Same tree cut down : contained one fresh egg, 
apparently a second laying. On the same date another nest was seen containing 
half grown young. Sept. 11, 1910. Young birds in nest near Broome Hill.” 
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