16 
■J OLDEN 
ROWNED 
^JEW EALAND. 
Psittacus auriceps, Russ. 
Synonyms: Cyanoramphus auriceps, Bp.; Cyanoramphus Malherbi, Snc.; 
Psittacus pacijicus, var. cl., Gml.; Euphema auriceps, Lchtst.; 
Platycercus auriceps et Malherbi, Gr. German: Der Spring sittich. 
T HIS charming bird, one of the most delightful of all the Parrot 
family, according to Dr. Russ, is, as its English name denotes* 
a native of New Zealand, as well as the species described in the pre- 
ceding chapter, and is about the same size as the Turquoisine, but 
of heavier and less elegant build than the latter bird: the plumage 
on the upper parts of the body is a dark grass green, with here 
and there a shade of blue; on the breast and abdomen the feathers 
are of a lighter, or rather a yellower, shade of green than on the 
back and wings, the front edges of the latter are blue: the tail is 
dark green above, and grey underneath. 
The legs are long and of a greyish slate colour, the claws black, 
and of unusual length: the upper mandible is blue with a black tip, 
and the lower horn colour. Surrounding the beak is a narrow line 
of an intensely red colour, which seems to be continued into the eye, 
the iris of which is a brilliant red: the top of the head is pale golden 
yellow. 
The long shanks of this bird enable it to run and hop with great 
freedom, and have obtained for their possessor the German name of 
Spring sitticli: it has a curious habit, which seems to be peculiar, and 
common to the Parrots of New Zealand, of scratching with its feet 
in the sand and dust after the manner of the Gcdlinacece, and it also 
makes use of them to hold its food, after the well-known fashion of 
the Grey and other large Parrots. 
