S. Harvey—The Splendid or Scarlet-breasted Parrakeet 135


persistent, as is seen in the melanistic race of leopards in the Malay

States where it has swamped the normal type, but there is little doubt

that it first appeared as a mutation. Black rabbits are common in

certain districts, and their numbers increase rapidly though, being

far more conspicuous than the normal type, they are more liable to

destruction.— Ed.]



NOTES ON THE SPLENDID OR SCARLET¬

BREASTED PARRAKEET

' (NE OPHEM.A SPLENDID A)


By S. Harvey (Adelaide)"


The colouring of an adult cock is wonderful, the coloured plates

do not do him justice, the wax-like sheen of blue on the head is

remarkable. There are two shades of blue, the face is royal blue

shading into turquoise blue. The brilliant scarlet chest follows on from

the royal blue and extends more than half-way down the belly,

shading into pale yellow, faint scarlet spots continue on in the yellow.


A young cock taken from a nest in August was not showing the

scarlet at the end of December, by the end of February a considerable

amount of scarlet was showing, breaking through the green feathers.

I should say it is at least two years before a cock is fully coloured. An

adult hen has two or three dull red feathers under the green on the chest.

I thought one of my birds was a young cock as these red feathers were

showing, but no further colouring has taken place in six months, so

I am convinced that this is an adult hen.


It is strange that these beautiful Parrakeets have shown up in three

different parts of South Australia this season, but only in very limited

numbers. Fortunately I have birds from each district, so barring

accidents am well set up for breeding.


One Sunday morning a farmer from the west coast of South

Australia rang me and said he wished to see the Scarlet-breasted

Parrakeets, as he thought he had one, and, naturally, I was very pleased

for him to come out. When he saw mine he thought his was like the

hen. Some years ago a dead cock bird was found in the same direction,



