NESTS AND EGGS OF AUSTRAL/AN BIRDS. jgj 



466. — Ptilosclera versicolor, Vigors. — (447) 

 RED-CROWNED OR VARIED LORIKEET. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v., pi. 51. 

 Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. x.x., p. 66. 



Geographical Distrihutiun. — North-west Australia, Northern Terri- 

 tory, and North Queensland. 



Nest and Eggs. — Undoscribed. 



Observations. — This delightful Lorikeet flies in flocks in the forest of 

 Northern Australia, where Gilbert first observed it flashing on the top- 

 most flowering branches of the eucalypts and melaleucas. It may be 

 readily distinguished from all the other Lorikeets by the narrow stripe of 

 yellow down the centre of the feathers of the plumage, and the rich, 

 red crown of the head. 



These Lorikeets are said to breed in the hollow limbs of trees on 

 the margin of the Margaret River, North-west Australia. 



467. — Glossopsittacus concinnus, Shaw. — (448) 

 G. australis, Latham. 



MUSK LORIKEET. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v., pi. 52. 



Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xx., p. 6g. 



Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould : Birds of Australia (1848) , 

 also Handbook, vol. ii., p. loi (1865) ; North : Austn. Mus. 

 Cat., p. 268 (1889). 



Geographical Disfrihiifion. — Queensland, New South Wales, Vic- 

 toria, South Austraha, and Tasmania. 



Ne-sf. — Within a hole or hollow in a dead or living tree. 



Eggs.- — Clutch, two to four ; roundish or round oval in shape ; 

 texture of shell somewhat fine ; surface without gloss ; colour, wliite, 

 dulled by the wood dust of the nest. Dimensions in inches of two 

 pairs: A (1) -98 x '83, (2) -98 x -83 ; B (1) -98 x -82, (2) -97 x -81. 



Observations. — This Lorikeet, of musky odour, enjoys a range down 

 Eastern Australia (including portions of the interior) to Tasmania. 

 Except for its habit of following the flowering g^ms, it might almost be 

 regarded as a stationary species. Tlie bird may often be seen, or its 

 harsh screeching notes heard, in the blue-gums about our cities, feasting 

 upon the flowers. It is a common species, chubby and thick set in 

 figure, and dressed in green, ornamented on the forehead and cheeks 

 with patches of deep crimson. Length of liird, about 9 inches. 



