_J. Gould and H.C. Richter del et lith._ _C. Hullmandel Imp._
]
TRICHOGLOSSUS CHLOROLEPIDOTUS, _Jard. and Selb._
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet.
_Psittacus chlorolepidotus_, Kuhl, Consp. Psitt. in Nov. Act., vol. x.
p. 48.
_Trichoglossus Matoni, Vig. and Horsf_. in Linn. Trans., vol. xv. p.
292.
_Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus_, Jard. and Selb. Ill. Orn., vol. iii.
pl. 110.—Wagl. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand., p. 550.
The present Lorikeet is one of the four species of this genus inhabiting
New South Wales, which portion of Australia may be regarded as its
stronghold, for I have never even seen a skin from any of the other
colonies; hence, like many other species, it is very local, confined as
it were to certain limits, and those of small extent. To give any
detailed account of its habits and mode of life would be merely
repeating what I have said respecting the _Trichoglossus Swainsonii_,
with which it frequently associates and even feeds on the same branch;
it is, however, not so numerous as that species, nor so generally
distributed over the face of the country. The brushes near the coast,
studded here and there with enormous gums, towering high above every
other tree by which they are surrounded, are the localities especially
resorted to by it: in the interior of the country, on the contrary,
where the _Trichoglossus Swainsonii_ is equally as numerous as in the
neighbourhood of the coast, I never observed it.
Its sole food is honey, gathered from the cups of the newly expanded
blossoms of the _Eucalypti_, upon which it feeds to such an excess, that
on suspending a fresh-shot specimen by the toes a large teaspoonful, at
least, of liquid honey will flow from the mouth; hence, when we know
this to be the natural food of the principal members of the group, how
can it be expected that they can exist in captivity upon the hard seeds
or farinaceous food so generally given as a substitute? A proper
attention to the diet of these birds, by supplying them with food of a
saccharine character, would doubtless be attended with the best results,
and enable us to keep them as denizens of our cages and aviaries, as
well as the other members of the family; and when it is considered that
they are among the most elegant and beautiful of their tribe, I trust
those who may have an opportunity will be induced to make a trial.
The Scaly-breasted Lorikeet breeds in all the large _Eucalypti_ near
Maitland on the Hunter, but I regret to say I did not procure its eggs,
or any information respecting its nidification.
The sexes are so closely alike as not to be outwardly distinguished.
All the upper surface, wings and tail rich grass-green; a few feathers
at the back of the neck and all the feathers of the under surface bright
yellow, margined at the tip with a crescent of grass-green, giving the
whole a fasciated appearance; under surface of the shoulder and base of
the primaries and secondaries rich scarlet; bill beautiful blood-red,
inclining to orange at the tip; cere and orbits olive; irides in some
specimens scarlet with a circle of buff round the pupil, in others buffy
yellow.
The figures are of the natural size.
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