Zoological Illustrations Series II/Plate 26
Pennantian Parrakeet.
PLATYCERCUS scapularis.
Tabuan, or King Parrakeet.
Family Psittacidæ.
Generic Character.—Lesson. Man. 2, 146.
Specific Character.
Green; head, neck, and body beneath scarlet; lower part of the back blue; scapular covers with a pea green stripe; tail black.
Tabuan Parrot. White's Voyage, pl. in p. 168 (male).
Grande Perruche à collier et croupion bleus. Le Vail. Par. pl. 55.
Platycercus scapularis. Vig. and Hors. Linn. Trans. 15, 1, 284.
Greatly allied to the Ground Parrakeets of Australia, but differing from them in many particulars, are the Broad-tailed Parrakeets of the same region, forming the modern group Platycercus. The former appear to represent the Maccaws; while the latter exhibit many strong points of analogy to the Lories; but we question if their resemblance extends further.
We have had one of these beautiful Parrakeets in our possession, alive, for many years. Its manners are gentle and timid. Like many of its congeners, it delights to wash itself in a basin of water. In the day, and during winter, it is generally silent; but on a mild evening it will go on, for two or three hours, with a somewhat whistling note; sometimes shrill, but generally soft and pleasing. Its ordinary diet is moistened bread, with a little hemp and canary seed; but during summer and autumn the small garden fruits appear to be highly welcome to our elegant little favourite.
Our figure represents a variety of the male bird, wherein the light green on the scapular feathers is wanting. The total length is about sixteen inches.
We consider the primary divisions of the Psittacidæ, are those which have long been recognized under the familiar names of Maccaws, Cockatoos, Parrots, Lories, and Parrakeets. Such a series is the result of a synthetical investigation we have given to the subject; but this mode of inquiry is so deceptive, and has led to so many erroneous conclusions, that until each of these groups are submitted to a patient analysis, which has never yet been done, no correct opinion on the subject can be formed. The name on the Plate (engraved five years ago) is a mistake. The first description and figure of this bird is in "White's Voyage to New South Wales," where it is described as not uncommon.