Harrots IN 3§APTIVITY. 
Rose -®ILL OR RoSELLA JgARRAKEET. 
Psittacus eximius, Russ. 
Synonyms: Psittacus capitatus, Shw., Khl.; 
Psittacus omnicolor, Bchst. ; Platycercus eximius, Vgks., Glb., etc. 
Gekman: Per Buntsittich oder die Rosetta. 
Feench: La Perruche omnicolore. 
^NTT OT only is this bird distinguished for the rich colouring of 
its plumage, but by its lively and active habits, and, in the 
reeding season, by the comical way it has of singing and dancing”: 
. r ' -Russ thus commences his description of the Rosella, which certainly 
ls one °f the handsomest of the Australian Parrots, and at the same 
time one of the most familiar and easily managed of all its congeners : 
is about the same size as the Oockatiel, but of rather stouter build, 
w ith shorter tarsi and stronger feet and claws: it is found in Tasmania, 
s-nd all the southern parts of Australia, where it breeds in hollow 
oughs from October to January, laying from five to seven and even 
mne eggs at each setting. 
The head and neck are bright red, the throat yellow, the cheeks 
white with a bluish shade, the back greenish olive, the tail green and 
ue; the back feathers are black edged with green. 
The sexes are alike in colouring, but the female is a more sedate 
personage than her mate, who is vivacity personified; she is a trifle 
