PSITTACId]. 317 



Molucca Islands and on the continent of Australia. 

 Some prefer the lofty trees that border large rivers^ 

 and such as are located in swamps ; other species 

 frequent such as grow in the open plains and clear 

 lands. They are very shy, and it is therefore rather 

 difficult to get near them ; but though not usually 

 seen, their presence is easily discovered by their loud 

 screaming notes, the effect of which is much in- 

 creased by their vast numbers. They subsist entirely 

 on vegetable substances, such as hard seeds, nuts, 

 and small tuberous and bulbous roots, and they 

 generally swallow stones along with their food. 

 They commit great depredations in the fresh-culti- 

 vated lands, and on the smaller branches of trees, 

 by stripping off the bark, which they sometimes cut 

 into small pieces : the appearance of this work of 

 devastation generally indicates that their nest is in 

 a neighbouring tree. 



