640 NESTS AND EGGS OF AVSTRALTAN BIRDS. 



Neat. — Usually within a dead hollow branch of a largo eucalypt. 



Egga. — Clutch, seven to nine; colour, milk-whito. Dimensions: 

 1-12 x- 8 7 inches (Gould). 



Olixervdtidiix. — Tlie so-called " King Pari'ot " of Western Australia, 

 or, correctly speaking, the Red-capped Parrakcet — a name derived 

 from its deep-maroon ci'own — is a gorgeous bird. I enjoyed many 

 opportunities of observing them in the karri and jaiTah forests, wlicrc 

 they loved to feed upon the kernel of the native pear ( Xyhnnchnn), 

 when the fniit opens under the summer smi. 



It was with much satisfaction that I brought home and let loose 

 in my aviary one of these handsome birds. It was thriving splendidly, 

 till one dav, to my regret, a member of my household accidentally let 

 the bird escape. 



Breeding months October to December. 



509. — Barnardius BAENARni, Latham. — (412) 

 MALLEE PARRAKEET. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v., pi. 21, 



Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xx., p. 55S. 



Previous Deuriptions of Eggs. — Campbell : Southern .Science Record 

 (1885); North: Austn. Mus. Cat., p. 256, pi. 14, fig. 7 (i88g). 



Geographical Distrihutinn. — South Queensland, New South Wales, 

 Victoria, and South Australia. 



Nest. — Within a hollow bole or branch of a tree in open forest 

 country ; also reported to breed in the cliffs of the Lower MuiTay 

 River. 



Egijf:. — Clutch, four to five ; elliptical or round oval in shape ; 

 texture of shell inclined to be coarse in .some examjiles. finer in others; 

 surface slightly glossy ; colour, white. Dimensions in inches of a set 

 of three: (1) 1-24 x -97, (2) 1-22 x -94, (3) 1-2 x -99; of odd examples: 

 (1) 1-2 X -92, (2) MSxl-O, (3) M2 x -93, (4) M x -93. 



Ohxrrvalions. — Tliis splendid Parrot loves the inland portions 

 chiefly of New Soutli Wales, Victoria, and Soulh Australia, and it is 

 u.sually associated in pairs or small families in such places as the 

 Wimmera district or Rivcrina. This species of " Collared " Parrakeets 

 (Bai-nard) is also known as the Malleo Pan-ot. Besides the yellow 

 collar, it wears nearly all the other colours of the rainbow, ;ind is indeed 

 a lovely Parrot. 



