Psittacus semitorquatus. Synonyms: Platycercus semitorquatus, Gld.; dius semitorquatus, Bp.; Conurus caeruleo-barbatus, Brj. vn: Der Bandsittich, oder Der Plattschweissittich mit gelbem Halsband und rother Stirnbinde, Russ. : Perruche Bulla Bulla,(?) ou Perruche à Collier Jaune.

THE French designation of this handsome and most desirable Parrakeet is manifestly given to it in error, by M. Alf. Rousse, for Bulla Bulla is the name by which Barnard's Parrakeet is usually known to dealers, and to the Colonists of South Australia and New South Wales; where it is found. A great deal of confusion however exists with regard to these three birds, Barnard's, Bauer's, and the Yellow-naped Parrakeet, which have frequently been confounded with each other, even by scientific writers. The late John Gould, F.R.S., however is an authority, whose decision upon any matter connected with Australian ornithology is not likely to be called in question, and he distinctly differentiates them; and, in our opinion, has thoroughly made out his case, and established them as constituting a distinct group among the Platycerci.

The subject of the present notice is a considerably larger bird than either Barnard's or Bauer's Parrakeets, approaching Pennant's Broad-tail in size; and presents some very curious contrasts of colour and configuration. It is entirely destitute of os furcatum, and is consequently limited as regards its power of flight, but on the other hand, it runs very swiftly on the ground, and only makes use of its wings when closely pursued. It feeds chiefly on the seeds of the indigenous grasses, and not on the fruit and buds of the native trees, like some of its congeners; which may be the cause or the consequence of the anatomical deficiency above alluded to, as the reader pleases.

It is a handsome bird. The forehead is crossed by a narrow crimson band; the head is blackish brown, changing gradually into blue on the cheeks; a band of bright yellow encircles the back of the neck; the upper surface generally is of a deep grass green colour, which becomes paler towards the shoulders; the primaries and spurious wing feathers are blackish brown, but the external web of each feather is deep blue; the two central feathers of the tail are very deep grass green, but the next pair on either side passing to blue, and are terminated by bluish white tips; the rest of the tail feathers are green at the base passing into blue, and ending with white; the chest is dark green, and the rest of the under surface is a paler shade of the same colour; the irides are dark brown; the bill horn colour; and the legs and feet dark brown. The Yellow-naped Parrakeet is a native of Western Australia, where Gould found it very abundant in the vicinity of Swan River. It is hardy, and frequently caged by the Colonists, who call it the "Twenty-eight" Parrot, from the fancied resemblance of the last two syllables of its call note to those words. Although essentially a ground bird, it breeds in the hollow limbs of trees, making no nest, but laying its seven or nine white eggs on the semi-decayed wood. There are generally two broods in the season, which extends from October to January.

It has not so far distinguished itself very prominently as a talker, but it has a melodious voice, for a Parrakeet, and learns to whistle an air with facility and correctness. Being of a gentle but withal not timid nature, it soon becomes very familiar, not only with the person who feeds it, but with the other inmates of the house; whom it usually recognises by a repetition of its peculiar cry.

There is very little outward difference between the sexes; but the adult female is decidedly smaller than her mate, and the colours of her plumage are duller.

The young resemble their parents from the first, but are considerably smaller than them, when they leave the nest.

M. Alfred Rousse, of Fontenay-le-Comte, to whose valuable work on L' aviculture des Perruches, we have referred more than once, says of this species: "Cette perruche est très robuste, et s'est déja reproduite en volière" (this Parrakeet is very hardy, and has already bred in captivity), which should be an encouragement to other amateurs to "go and do likewise"; that is to say, to buy a pair of Yellow-naped, turn them out into a commodious aviary, and in due course, enjoy the pleasure of seeing half a dozen or more young Parrakeets join their parents on the perches, or branches in the enclosure.

Dealers are not to be depended upon as a rule in the matter of names, and appear to be considerably "mixed" with regard to these birds, which even Dr. Buss is not quite certain about, for he gives the name of "Boa Perikit" both to this species and to Bauer's Parrakeet, and in one place credits the latter with possessing a red frontlet, (Die fremdländischen Stubenvögel, page 142); he also gives the length of Semitorquatus at 35 centimetres, and that of Bauer's Parrakeet at from 35 to 37 centimetres, which latter measurement, 14½ inches, is nearer that of the Yellow-collared than of Bauer's or the Port Lincoln Parrakeet, from which it is readily distinguished by its larger size, crimson frontlet, and the absence of the golden yellow central abdominal belt; which is so conspicuous a feature in the colouring of the latter bird.

In captivity the subject of the present notice is fed on canary seed chiefly, though it will also eat oats, sunflower seeds, hemp and flat maize. It appears to be fond of sugar, but this no doubt is an acquired taste, and should only be cautiously permitted at long intervals; as a bird under our observation for some time, has on several occasions suffered from genuine bilious attacks, owing to such indulgence. A morsel of apple or carrot every now and then is unobjectionable, as is likewise a piece of boiled potato; but monkey-nuts are to be avoided as apt to induce diarrhœa. Mignionette in flower is greedily devoured, and we have never remarked any ill effect from its use. Groundsel too, if not rank, is good for a change, and care must always be taken to have a decayed log of wood for the bird to peck at; and plenty of rather coarse gravel containing broken flints.

Water, we need scarcely observe, is indispensible for drinking as well as bathing.

It is a pity these extremely interesting Parrakeets should be so seldom imported, and consequently maintain the high price they do, that is from £3 to £4 a pair, or even more. Latterly, however, they have been of more frequent occurrence, but the demand for them not having proportionately increased in consequence of so little being known about them by the public, they have not found the sale that their undoubted merits as cage and aviary birds entitles them to; for we know of few more desirable Parrakeets. One drawback they have however, which we are reluctantly compelled to mention. Placed in the company of other Parrakeets, or even other birds, say of the Finch kind, they are apt to bite, and that severely, the legs and feet of their companions; and, at least, in one instance, a nest of young Java Sparrows was interfered with, and plucked nearly bare; apparently for mischiefs sake only.

In the house, however, as cage birds there are few that surpass the Yellow-naped Parrakeet, which is intelligent, beautiful, hardy, and docile; learns in some cases to talk a little, but in all to whistle, dance, and feed from the hand or mouth. A pair will caress each other incessantly, and under favourable conditions, nest and carefully bring up their young, which so far do not appear to suffer the least deterioration from in-breeding during several generations. It would nevertheless be desirable not to push the experiment too far.