The DAPPLED LORIKEET (_Psitteuteles versicolor_) is a small bird of about
six and a half inches in length. The plumage is much variegated; the
cheek-stripes and top of the head are dark red, with a band round the
neck of deep sky blue; the back blueish green, the wings green, the upper
tail-covers light yellowish green, all the upper feathers being narrowly
striped with yellowish green, and the under-feathers streaked with
yellow along the shaft; both sides of the belly and the inner side of the
leg are spotted with purple. The primary quills are black, bordered at
the edge with dark green, and surrounded by a yellowish line. The beak is
scarlet, the foot a light ash grey, the cere and the bare patch around
the eye are greenish white, the iris is reddish yellow, with narrow red
rings around the pupil.
[Illustration: THE PURPLE-CAPPED LORY, OR LORIKEET (_Lorius domicella_).]
We are indebted to Gilbert for a short description of the habits of
this species, which is found on the northern side of Australia, more
particularly near Port Essington. These birds assemble, he tells us,
in innumerable hosts, and settle upon the gum-trees in order to obtain
nectar from their flowers: whilst a flock is in motion, their movements
are so regular and simultaneous that they might be mistaken for a passing
cloud, did not their piercing cries undeceive the spectator.