pale grey breasted Pallicps but also of the brighter and darker blue breasted sub species’. Sadly Mealy x Eastern hybrids are occasionally seen, as are Pennant’s x Eastern hybrids, though young Mealies with red flecking on the head should not be discounted as this common marking is also seen in the wild population. Both yellow pied and fallow mutations have now appeared.


BLUE CHEEKED ROSELLA (Platycercus Adsiticus Adsiticus) This is in fact the nominate type of Pale Headed Rosella, being distinguished from the Mealy by it’s smaller size, slightly slimmer appearance and blue cheek patches. The easiest way of recognising pure Blue Cheeked however, is the fact that they have a greenish yellow rump and upper tail coverts, not blue or grey as in other forms of Mealy or Pale Headed. A high proportion of birds advertised as Blue Cheeked in the UK are in fact birds of mixed ancestry and not true Blue Cheeked. Pure birds are however available on the Continent and a handful of breeders are now keeping them in the UK, though breeding successes have as yet not been high.


BROWN’S ROSELLA (Platycercus Venustus) Always rare and in demand the availability of Brown’s Rosella has remained steady over recent years. Only a tiny number of breeders concentrate or succeed with them in the UK, many being put off with the difficulty of making up pairs or producing good numbers of chicks, choosing to turn


42 BIRD SCENE


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