_J. & E. Gould del et lith._ _C. Hullmandel Imp._
]
PLATYCERCUS PALLICEPS, _Vig._
Pale-headed Parrakeet.
_Platycercus palliceps_, Vig. in Lear’s Ill. Psitt., pl. 19.
_Moreton Bay Rose-hill_, Colonists of New South Wales.
This elegant species of _Platycercus_, which, up to the present time,
has been more frequently seen alive in a state of captivity than
preserved in our zoological collections, is a native of the eastern
coast of Australia, and is tolerably numerous at Moreton Bay, where all
the specimens I have seen were procured. It is known in Sydney by the
name of Moreton Bay Rose-hill, an appellation bestowed on it from its
near alliance to the _Platycercus eximius_. The specific name of
_palliceps_ has been applied to this species from the light colouring of
the head, which amounts, in some specimens, to a total absence of
colour: this however, I think, may be attributed to the effects of
exposure to light, since, in recently moulted birds, there is always a
delicate tinge of yellow pervading the crown; the delicate blue on the
cheeks also appears to be affected by the same cause, though not to so
great an extent.
It bears confinement remarkably well, and is very docile and familiar,
which, added to its very elegant plumage, renders it a general
favourite.
Crown of the head and cheeks either wholly white or pale gamboge-yellow;
in some specimens also there is a fine line of scarlet crossing the
forehead, and the lower part of the cheeks is deep blue; feathers of the
nape, back and scapularies black, broadly margined with gamboge-yellow;
rump in some instances greenish blue, in others this part is strongly
tinged with gamboge-yellow; primaries and secondaries blackish brown,
with the base of their external webs deep blue; greater and lesser
wing-coverts, and the shoulders, both above and below, beautiful blue;
that part of the wing nearest the body black; all the under surface
verditer-blue, with the exception of the under tail-coverts, which are
scarlet; two middle tail-feathers greenish blue; the basal half of the
remainder being blackish-brown on their internal webs, rich deep blue on
their outer webs, and the terminal half delicate pale blue, passing into
white at the tip; bill horn-colour; irides blackish brown; feet dark
mealy brown.
The sexes differ in no respect in outward appearance, with the exception
of a slight superiority of size in the male.
The Plate represents a male and a female of the natural size.
[Illustration: