274 THE USEFUL BIRDS 



MUSK LORIKEET 



(Green 'Keet, Musky Pareakeet), 



Glossopsittaciis coiieinnus, Shaw. 



Glo-sop-sit'a-kus kon-sia'us. 

 Glossa, tongue ; psittakos, a parrot ; concinnus, compact (pretty). 



Trichoglossus concinnus, Gould, "Birds of Australia," fol., vol. v., 



pi. 52. 



Geographical Distribution. — Areas 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. 



Key to the Species. — General colour green ; no red on cheeks ; ear 

 coverts red, like forehead ; bill black. 



This species is widely distributed along the eastern side of 

 Australia and Tasmania. My experience of the bird leads me 

 to speak of it as an overhead species, for we get our first 

 impressions through the ear high in the air. To get a view of 

 the screeching flock it is necessary to look up quickly, for 

 their flight is so rapid as to carry them beyond our vision in a 

 very short time. 



Possessing a brush tongue in addition to a hard biting bill — 

 so necessary in the attack upon hard fruits, &c. — it holds a 

 considerable advantage over other members of the group. 



I seldom notice the birds in the southern parts between the 

 middle of May and the end of August, but on the 19th of 

 July, 1898, I heard one skyward. The summer of 1897-1898 

 was particularly hot, the w^eather being very warm in April, 

 particularly mild in winter, and with every indication at the 

 end of August of an early sununer, so that the Musk Lorikeet 

 remained throughout the year. With a hot season and plenty 

 of nectar blossoms, how it does enjoy life ! Having shot a 

 specimen one day, I held its head down, and the honey 

 streamed and dripped from its throat for nearly a minute. 

 The eucalypts act as " foster-parents " in January. In the 



