OF SOUTHERN AU STB ALIA. 233 



tion, as he never stayed at the nest when the female was away. 

 Early on the 3rd of February I saw broken egg-shells near the 

 nest, and two small chocolate-coloured heads protruding from 

 under the wings of the female, but the male was perched on 

 the Parrots' log, about four feet high. Next morning five 

 chicks were seen following the mother. The male bird kept 

 out of the way, preferring the company of the Parrots to that 

 of his wife and family. Unfortunately some of the chicks got 

 into the water dish, and one was drowned ; but the other four 

 are thriving well, and have wing feathers over an inch long. 

 The male bird is now in constant attendance on them, and 

 when finely-chopped meat or green vegetables are thrown to 

 them he picks up pieces and holds them in his bill until the 

 young ones take them from him. They all scratch like 

 common fowls, and are fed principally on canary seed." 

 Green grass is a valuable help in their diet. 



Nest. — A loosely made bowl of grass placed in a slight 

 depression in corn or grass. 



Eggs. — Seven to twelve ; ground colour tawny, heavily 

 marked with coarse blotches and spots of dense brown. 

 Shape, swollen oval. The markings vary considerably in 

 density and distribution. Length, 1.15 inches ; breadth, 0.9 

 inches. 



