Pezoporus formosus. - Illiger.

Pezoporus formosus, Vig. el Horsf. Trans. Linn. Soc. v. 15, p. 285. - Wagler. Mon. Psitt. in Abhand. etc., p. 250. Psitt. formosus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. i. p. 103, No. 60 - Kuhl. Consp. POitl. Nov. Acta, etc., p. 43, No. 64. - Psit-tacus terrestris, Shaw's Zool. of New Holland, pl. 3, - Nat. Misc. 228. - Perruche Ingambe, Le Vaill. Nat. des Per. pl. 32. - Ground Parrot, Lath. Gen. Hist. ii. p. 137, No. 40.

Though destitute of that diversity of brilliant colours which distinguishes so many of the tribe, the plumage of the Ground Parrot is handsome and pleasing to the eye, the lively green which forms the ground or prevailing tint being beautifully varied with spots, and bars of black and yellow In size it exceeds the last described species, measuring rather more than twelve inches in length, one half of which is occupied by the tail, this is composed of feathers, which taper rapidly towards their tips, which are sharp and pointed, and have their exterior webs very narrow, the two middle tail feathers are green, barred with yellow, the lateral yellow, barred with blackish brown. The wings are rather short and rounded, the first and fourth quills being equal, the second and third the longest and equal. The inner webs of the quills are blackish-brown, and have each a mesiad angular spot of yellow, forming an oblique fascia or bar on the under side of the wings; the exterior webs are green, with an angular spot of yellow towards the middle, upon all the quills, with the exception of the two first. At the base of the upper mandible is a narrow band of reddish-orange. The bill is grey, the to-mia of the upper mandible paler, and without emargi-nation. The feet are yellowish-white, the tarsi nearly an inch long, covered in front with hexagonal scales. The toes slender and long, the claws nearly straight, with pale tips.

The Ground Parrot is a native of Holland and Van Diemen's Land, where it inhabits the scrubs or ground partially covered with low underwood. It is very rarely seen perched, and when flushed, Mr Caley observes, takes a short flight, and then alights among the bushes, but never upon them. Of its mode of nidification, and other matters connected with its history, we are unable to give any further account.

Pezoporus Formosus.

E. Lear del.

Ground Parrot.

Lizars sc.