6 
Psittacus palliceps, Russ. 
Synonyms: Platycorcus palliceps, Vgrs., Jrdn., Gld., etc. 
Platycercus ccelestis, Gr.; Oonurus palliceps, Ov. 
German: Der blassJcdpfige BuntsitUch. 
HE Mealy Rosella is not, in our opinion, a pretty bird, its pale- 
-L coloured bead and face give it a decidedly sickly appearance; it 
is about tbe same size as tbe last species, and coloured after much 
the same fashion, tbe bead and neck of the Rosella being red, and 
tbe same parts in its Mealy relation yellow; tbe cheeks of tbe latter 
are white, which tend to increase its really ghastly mien; the upper 
part of the body is black, each feather being edged with yellow; the 
under surface is blue; and the lower tail coverts red. 
The female resembles the male exactly as to colour, but is, perhaps, 
a trifle smaller. 
The Mealy Rosella replaces in the northern parts of Australia the 
more vividly coloured bird of the southern portions of the country, so 
that Dr. Russ is incorrect when he states “Ileimat ein grosser Thiel 
Austr aliens.” 
It is not as robust as its more vividly coloured congener, and will 
not stand the severity of our winters out of doors; it is not very 
common in the dealers’ shops, nor, we believe, very much sought after 
by amateurs. We cannot encourage our readers to buy it, for the 
following reasons: it is expensive, rather delicate, at least at first, 
quarrelsome with its fellows, and, as we have said, presents a sickly, 
faded, washed-out appearance, that in our eyes is the reverse of at- 
tractive. 
If any one should decide upon giving it a trial, well and good, feed 
it on seeds, as the Common Rosella, but give more insect food, such 
as mealworms, gentles, and black beetles, as well as egg-bread, ants’ 
