276 THE USEFUL BIRDS 



of young, coming together again as a noisy mob in the late 

 summer. 



The Purple-crowned Lorikeet very much resembles the 

 Musk Lorikeet, but may readily be distinguished by the 

 purple crown. It is not a common bird in the extreme south, 

 and only comes with specially hot seasons. 



'Nest. — In a hollow of a tree ; dust alone is used upon which 

 to place the eggs for incubation. 



Eggs. — Four or five to a sitting ; white ; round. Length, 

 1 inch ; breadth, 0.75 inch. 



LITTLE LORIKEET 



(Little Green 'Keet), 



Glossopsittacus pusillus, Shaw. 



Glo-sop'sit' a-kus pu-sil'us. 

 Glossa, tongue ; psittakos, a parrot ; pusillus, very small. 



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



pi. 54. 



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



Key to the Species. — General colour green; cheeks,' forehead, and 

 chin all round the base of bill red. 



This rapid flier is the most diminutive of the Austrahan 

 Parrots. It associates with the Musk Lorikeet in great 

 numbers, and may be heard in February along the southern 

 coasts. 



It breeds in the north among the secret places of aged 

 timber, and comes south with its family in the summer to see 

 what can be secured in the open. 



Like most of the Parrots, this tiny species is very fond of 

 the gum trees, and spends much of its time among them. 



