GEOFFROYIUS HETEROCLITUS, Ilomhr. Jacq, 
Yellow-headed Parrot. 
Psittacus geoffroyi heteroclitus, Hombr. et Jacq. Ann. Sci. Nat. xvi. p. 319 (1841). 
Psittacus heteroclitus. Gray, Gen. B. ii. p. 421, no. 8 (1846). — Id. List PsittacidiE, Brit. Mus. p. 73 (1859). — 
Id. List Birds Tropical Islands of the Pacific Ocean, p. 34 (1859). — Id. Hand-l. B. ii. p. 160, 
no. 8277 (1870). 
Pione heteroclite, Hombr. et Jacq. Voy. P61e Sud, pi. 25 bis, figs. 1, 2 (1842-53). 
Pionus heteroclitus, Jacq. et Pucher. Voy. Pole Sud, iii. p. 103 (1853). 
Pionus cyaniceps, Jacq. et Pucher. Voy. Pole Sud, texte, iii. p. 105 (1853). 
Geoffroyius heteroclitus, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 155. — Souance, op. cit. 1856, p. 218. — Sclater, 
P. Z. S. 1869, p. 122. — Salvad. Ann. Mus. Civ. Genov, x. p. 30 (1877). 
Geoffroyius cyaniceps, Bonap. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1854, p. 155. — Sclater, P. Z. S. 1877, p. 107. 
Pionias heteroclitus, Finsch, Papageien, ii. p. 390 (1868). 
This beautiful Parrot is so rare in collections, that when Dr. Finsch wrote his celebrated work on the 
Psittacidse he had not seen an example ; and it is only within the last year that I have had the pleasure of 
examining it myself. The original specimens were three in number, and were brought from the islands of 
St. George and Ysahel in the Solomon group by the French Expedition to the South Pole. More recently 
it has been rediscovered by Mr. George Brown in New Britain, as recorded by Dr. Sclater 4 c. ; and I 
am indebted to this gentleman for the loan of the specimen from which my Plate has been drawn. 
When discovered by MM. Homhron and Jacquinot, a second form with a blue head was also jirocured, 
which these naturalists considered to be the female of the yellow-headed bird. Dr. Pucheran, in his 
account of the birds procured by the expedition, thought otherwise — and believing that the blue-headed 
specimen was a distinct species, named it Pionus cyaniceps ; but Dr. Finsch agreed with the first ojiinion, 
and made it the female of G. heteroclitiis. I am unable to say for certain whether this is right or wrong, 
as I have not yet seen more than one example of the blue-headed form. Recently Dr. Sclater has considered 
it probable that there are two species irdiabiting the New-Ireland group ; as, however, Mr. Brown has lately 
sent over the yellow-headed and blue-headed specimens figured by me, I incline to the opinion that they 
are the same species. 
Tbe colouring of this species is so very distinct, that the figures in the Plate will serve to distinguish 
it from all its allies. Dr. Finsch places it in the genus Pionias, along with a great many American and 
African species, which, according to my views, belong to distinct genera {Prioniturus, PoeocepJialus, Nc.). 
But taking his comprehensive view of Pionias, the present species belongs to the first section, with green 
under tail-coverts, sky-blue under wing-coverts, and blackish wing-lining. Its yellow head and cheeks, 
coupled with the blue band round the neck, are sufficient to distinguish it at a glance. 
As before mentioned, the specimens here figured were from Mr. George Brown’s third collection. The 
principal figure is of the size of life; and a slightly reduced figure is placed in the back- ground, and is 
supposed to be that of a young female. 
