OCR Text |
Show 1868.] DR. J. MURIE ON GEOPSITTACUS OCCIDENTALIS. 159 were carefully watched by our Superintendent, Mr. A. D. Bartlett. H e arrived at the same conclusion as Dr. Mueller, namelv, that it is chiefly a nocturnal bird. As the results of M r . Bartlett's observations have already been stated* I need only add two facts mentioned by him :-one, that it showed a preference for green food ; the other, that its voice was a double note, harsh and loud. M y own observations, although limited, would incline m e to agree with the above-mentioned gentleman. While I saw the bird during the day it remained motionless on its tuft of grass, and only became lively towards sundown. In daylight the eye had a singular expression, reminding one of the appearances characteristic of the Owls, Lemuroids, and such like night-feeding animals. The eye, however, did not look excessively large in proportion to the head. Toward the end of January, the weather having become changeable, the bird took what appeared to its keeper a fit of sneezing, and died within a day after. Examination of the viscera showed that death had been caused by an acute pneumonic attack. This had affected both lungs. The other internal organs were much congested with blood, and their texture softened. This softening may have been due to a fatty degeneration of the tissues. The body was so fat and oily that it was only with difficulty that M r . Bartlett took off the skin in safety. Of the allied form of Ground-Parrakeet, Pezoporus formosus, M r . Gould says that " its flesh is excellent, being delicate in flavour, and equalling, if not surpassing, that of the Quail and Snipe"f. Although I myself did not taste the flesh of the present nocturnal species, I have no doubt, from the delicacy of its appearance, that it would form quite as good food as its congener. Upon carefully comparing our bird with Mr. Gould's type specimen (an indifferent skin) and his description, I could find no points, either in the marking or colouring, worthy of special notice. The sex of his specimen not being known, it becomes the more important to mention that the Society's bird was a male, and doubtless adult. The typical skin has lately been presented to the British Museum by Mr. Gould ; and our mounted bird has now been added to the same collection. I regret that the amount of fat and the greasy nature of the skin quite stood in the way of examination respecting the pterylosis of this interesting Psittacine form. The subjoined are the only notes I was enabled to make. The greatest stretch of the wings, i. e. from tip to tip, is 18 inches. The shape of each wing itself is also peculiar, and not unlike that of the night-flying birds. From base to apex it presents a regular elongated cone, the tips of the feathers being subequal. The primaries are ten in number, the second of which is probably the longest. There are nine or ten secondary feathers. * By Mr. Sclater, P. Z. S. 1867, p. 891. t Handbook, already cited, vol. ii. p. 87. |