Neophema—The Birds of the Adelaide Zoological Gardens 339


Barnard’s ( B . harnardi), the Port Lincoln or Bauer’s (B. zonarius),

and the Yellow-naped or Twenty-eight (B. semitorquatus) are shown.

The exception is the Cloncurry ( B . macgillivrayi) which has never

been exhibited but which it is hoped will be obtained shortly. Of the

lesser broadtails, the Blue Bonnet (Psephotus hsematogaster ) is always

represented by a few specimens of the common yellow-vented variety,

and there is an attractive pair of the rare Little Blue Bonnet or Naretha

Parrakeet (P. narethae) which has only been known in captivity for

the past two years and has probably not been seen alive in Europe.

The common Many-coloured and Red-rumped Parrakeets (P. varius

and haematonotus) are always on exhibition, the former occasionally

breeding when given suitable accommodation in which to do so. The

Hooded Parrakeet (P. dissimilis) is represented by a pair in fine con¬

dition and has been bred frequently in recent years, but its near allies,

the Golden-shouldered (P. chrysopterygius) and the supposedly nearly

extinct Paradise (P. pulcherimmus), are not and probably never have

been exhibited.


Coming now to the attractive little Grass Parrakeets we find all

seven known species exhibited, probably for the only time in any

collection, private or public, in the world. The Bourke Grass Parrakeet

(Neophema bourki) breeds very freely and there are usually at least

a dozen specimens on view. The Blue-winged ( N . chrysostoma) at

present represented by a small flock of about twenty, has been bred on

several occasions, and like all members of the genus, is always in

demand for purposes of exchange. The Elegant (N. elegans), probably

the commonest species in this State, also breeds regularly and there are

well over a dozen specimens exhibited at present. The Rock (N. petro-

phila) has never been bred in the Gardens, although eggs were laid

last year. It is the least brilliantly attired of this interesting group,

and is at present represented by some half-dozen birds. The Orange-

bellied ( N . chrysogastra ) is easily the rarest member of the genus.

An adult male was obtained from Tasmania last year, but unfortunately

did not survive long and just recently three more immature birds have

been obtained. The Turquoisine (N. pulchella) is the only member of

the genus which does not occur in South Australia and is represented

at present by a single pair. Strangely enough, this usually prolific



