A'ESTS A.VD EGGS OI- AU ST KALI AN BIRDS. 65 1 



buing less advanced, were partly coloured green and grey. By 19th 

 December traces of grey had disappeared from all. The first young 

 bird left nest on "iOlh December. A second loft on the following day, 

 21st. No. 3 left on the 22nd. Nos. 4 and 5 left on 23rd. Towards 

 the end of Januaiy, and occasionally as late as the middle of February, 

 one may see the adult birds fljang from place to place, followed closely 

 by young bii'ds, which receive their food from the parent bii-ds' bills. 

 A field of standing oats is much appreciated by this species; failing 

 this, milk thistle and fiat weed (Hypocharis, sp.) seed come next in 

 favour. Immigration to warmer parts begins during March, and con- 

 tinues to mid April, after which no more are seen imtil the following 

 spring." 



It was further observed in another instance that out of five eggs 

 hatched by the 9th December (1896), two young left the nest on the 

 10th January, one was taken forcibly for identification for Mr. Hall 

 on the 11th, and two left 14th January, or thirty-two to thirty-six 

 days for the batch after being hatched. 



Breeding months, end of September to December or Januarj'. 



522. — Xeophema ELEGANs, Gould. — (433) 

 GEASS PARRAKEET. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. v., pi. 38. 



Reference.— CaX. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. stx., p. 572. 



Previous Descriptions of Eggs. — Gould : Birds of Australia (184S) , 

 also Handbook, vol. ii., p. 74 (1865). 



Geographical Distribution. — -South Queensland, New South Wales, 

 Victoria, South and West Australia. 



Xest. — Within a hole or hollow in a tree. 



Eggs. — Clutch, foui- to seven (Gilbert) ; round in form ; texture 

 of shell fine; surface without gloss; colour, pure white. Dimensions 

 in inches of a proper clutch : (1) -81 x "68, (2) -8 x -72, (3) -78 x -68, 

 (4) -77 X -67. 



Observations. — In situations conducive to its habits, this truly 

 elegant little species is found in the southern parts of Austraha, from 

 east to west. I have been privileged to see it at home about the 

 margin of lignum swamps and brackish lakes of Victoria, as well as 

 in Western Australia, which latter counliy Gould deemed the bird's 

 proper home, and where Gilbert saw them in myriads at certain pools, 

 there being no other water anywhere near at the time. 



Breeding months, end of August, September and October, and 

 probably later. 



