Psittacus splendens, Auctorum. Synonyms: Aprosmictus splendens, Bp., Css.;

Platycercus splendens, Hrtf., Gr.; Pyrrhulopsis splendens, Sch.

French: Perruche pourpre de Fidji.

German: Der Glanzsittich, oder der purpurothe glanzende Plattschweissittich, Rss.

FROM the unanimity with which all the writers who have treated of the subject of the present notice have awarded to it the specific designation splendens, it is natural to conclude that it must be a very strikingly beautiful creature, and that such is really the case, a glance at the life-like figure on the opposite page, will no doubt convince the most sceptical reader.

Truly the Red Shining Parrakeet, Aprosmictus, Platycercus, or Pyrrhulopsis splendens, is one of the most remarkable members of the Parrot family, though it is rather a matter of dispute with which sub-family of them it should be connected. The present writer is of opinion that the term Platycercus should be reserved, especially for the distinctive and well-known natural group of the Australian Broadtails; while the sub-generic term Aprosmictus is an unnecessary distinction, and might very well be abolished. There remains therefore only the term Pyrrhulopsis, which is fairly applicable and sufficiently desirable; though Dr. Karl Russ rejects it, alluding to it incidentally, with a note of exclamation after it in brackets (!).

Pyrrhulopsis splendens, the Red Shining Parrot, is a native of the Fiji Islands, especially of the Viti sub-group of that archipelago, where it used to be very plentiful, and is yet to be encountered in considerable numbers.

It is by no means a delicate bird, and when fairly acclimatised can stand any weather and almost any kind of treatment. It is very teachable, and Dr. Russ records the fact that any one of these birds exhibited by Fraulein Hagenbeck at the "Ornis" Show in 1880, was an excellent talker (ein sehr gut sprechendes exemplar), of which the price was six hundred marks, or £30. Another, on the same authority, is said to have been purchased from Herr Blaaw, of Amsterdam, for two hundred and fifty marks by Herr Director Scheuba, who gives it a good character on the whole, but complains that his bird was in a chronic state of moult; which may possibly be due to the fact, that it was accustomed to partake freely of cayenne pepper with its food.

The great similarity between three or four species or varieties of these Parrakeets has given rise to some confusion; for instance, the Amboina Parrakeet, the Tabuan Parrakeet, the subject of our present notice, and the well known King Parrakeet have a strong family likeness, more especially the three first; and have not unfrequently been mistaken one for the other. The specific differences however are considerable, as will be seen on comparing the plate of the last mentioned species, and that of the Red Shining Parrakeet; the Amboina and Tabuan species we have not yet illustrated, but hope to be in a position to do so before the completion of this work; when it will be readily seen in what respect they differ from their congeners.

In the present species the beak is blackish brown with a reddish tinge, below the surface as it were; the eye, or rather the iris, is bright reddish yellow; the lores, forehead, and back of the neck are deep shining red, and the latter terminates with a distinct collar of deep ultramarine blue; the wing coverts are brilliant green, but the flight feathers and the spurious wing feathers are deep blue, though in some lights the latter have a greenish tinge. The rump and upper tail coverts are bright green; the throat, breast, and belly, brilliant crimson. Variations of colour are not, however, of uncommon occurrence, and are due probably to age.

We had an idea at one time that this beautiful bird, following the analogy of the Eclecti, was the female of the Masked Parrakeets, but so many observers have recorded the fact that the female of the Red Shining Parrakeet resembles the male, although, perhaps, somewhat less brilliantly tinted; that we are forced to abandon our hypothesis, at least for the present.

The chief points of difference between the subject of our present notice and the King Parrakeet are, first, the size; and secondly, the colour of the beak. The Red Shining Parrakeet is considerably smaller than the King, and the latter has a coral-red beak, which fades in old subjects; and after death, to dull reddish orange.

When wild these birds are said to feed chiefly on seeds and berries, but in the house they can be kept in rude health for a considerable time on canary seed, maize, and oats; a little hemp may be added now and then, also ripe fruit; but animal food of any kind should never be given, and this cannot be too frequently insisted on; but half decayed wood is necessary to their comfort if not to their existence which last will certainly be cut short, unless the birds are provided with a sufficiency of coarse grit, preferably flint stones broken up small; which are a powerful aid to digestion, and serve them when swallowed in lieu of teeth.

The Red Shining Parrot has a frequent but not disagreeable cry, and as we have said, is eminently docile and in every respect desirable as an inmate of the cage and aviary.

In writing of the Splendid Pyrrhulopsis Dr. Russ says that it is only found in the Viti group of the Fiji Islands, "where it attracts attention " in the mangrove forests not only by its brilliant colours, but less agreeably by its loud cries"; an assertion, as regards the noise, which requires confirmation.

The doctor farther states that these birds do much damage to the maize crops, and are consequently hateful to the farmers, who pursue them without mercy, and that owing to this persecution they are learning to be watchful and silent; a fact which, if established, would tend to prove them gifted with no small amount of intelligence.

"The brood consists of three" according to the same authority, and if taken from the nest, the young birds become very tame.

The description of the supposed male only is given, and it is said to be an excellent talker, though awkward and clumsy in a cage.

"With the exception of its gorgeous plumage", continues Dr. Russ, "I have failed to find any pleasant qualities in the Red Shining Parrakeet, nevertheless I believe that all these large Parrakeets would develope a completely different character, if they were kept in a large aviary, where they had room to fly about", which is incontestable.

The Hon. And Rev. F. G. Dutton's Account Of Pyrrhulopsis Splendens

The Red Shining Parrakeet, as P. splendens is called, is most like the King Parrot both in colour and shape, so that it is not surprising some authors have called it by their generic name, Aprosmictus.

The beak and feet are black; its head and breast are dark crimson. There is a blue band at the neck, and the back is dark shining green, from which it may get its name of Shining Parrakeet. The tail feathers, according to Dr. Russ, are "blue with green edges at the base on the outer web, the two central ones green, with blue tips extending about one-third of the length. But as it must be nearly twenty years since I had mine, and I only had one, I cannot describe it better than by saying it is very like a King Parrot, only that the beak is black, and the crimson much darker. Its eyes, like those of the Masked Parrot, have bright orange irides, so as to give it a wild look.

I found my bird dull and quiet. I do not remember its being noisy Its one occupation was to scratch all day at the bottom of the cage. I wish some one would kindly explain what Parrots mean when they do this. My Jardine's Parrot is always doing it. I sometimes wonder is it the sign of a hen bird, and is it the burrowing preparatory to making a nest. If it was, it never laid an egg with me, but I soon parted with it to the Zoological Gardens. It did not long survive, and *I have reason to think that this and the Masked Parrakeet are peculiarly liable to decline. I do not think any specimen has lived very long in captivity, and I cannot but suspect that we have not discovered its right diet. I believe I fed mine on hemp and canary seed, and I probably gave it sop, but it is now so long ago that I cannot be sure. The general price of these birds is £5, though I gave only £3 for mine. The Masked Parrakeet is worth about £4, but they seldom come into the market. I intend some day, when I can secure a thoroughly healthy bird, to try the Masked Parrakeets, and perhaps to have another attempt with Splendens.