This fine bird, like the rest of the true Platycerci, is entirely destitute of the os furcatum; hence, like them, its powers of flight are very limited; on the other hand it runs quickly over the surface of the ground, as may be seen by all who have observed the bird in a cage, to which it is often consigned and sent to this country as an ornament for the aviary, which it graces, both by its large size and the richly contrasted colouring of its plumage. While on the wing its motion is tolerably rapid, and it often utters a note, which from its resemblance to those words has procured for it the appellation of “twenty-eight” Parrakeet from the colonists; the last word or note being sometimes repeated five or six times in succession.
It begins breeding in the latter part of September or beginning of October, making no nest, but depositing its eggs in a hole in either a gum- or mahogany-tree, on the soft black dust collected at the bottom; they are from seven to nine in number and of a pure white.
The sexes may be distinguished by the much smaller size of the female, and by her markings being much less distinct.
Forehead crossed by a narrow band of crimson; head blackish brown, passing into blue on the cheeks; back of the neck encircled by a band of bright yellow; back and upper surface generally deep grass-green, passing into pale green on the shoulders; primaries and spurious wing blackish brown, the external webs of each feather deep blue; two centre tail-feathers deep grass-green, the next on each side the same passing into blue and ending in bluish white at the tip; the lateral feathers green at the base passing into blue, which gradually fades into bluish white at the tip; chest green; under surface light green; irides dark brown; bill light horn-colour, becoming of a lead-colour on the front of the upper mandible; legs and feet dark brown.
The Plate represents the birds of the natural size.
PLATYCERCUS BAUERI: Vig. & Horsf.
J. Gould and H.C. Richter del et lith. C. Hullmandel Imp.
PLATYCERCUS BAUERI, Vig. and Horsf.
Bauer’s Parrakeet.
Psittacus Baueri, Temm. in Linn. Trans., vol. xiii. p. 118.—Donovan’s Nat. Repos., pl 64.
Psittacus cyanomelus, Kuhl. Consp. Psitt, in Nov. Act., vol. x. p. 53.