OF SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA. 277 



Certain of the Parrots are grass-loving, and spend nearly all 

 the day gathering seeds upon the ground. Such are the 

 Psephotus (8 species) and Neophema (7 species) in general, 

 with the Night Parrakeets {Pezoporus and Geofsittacus) in 

 particular. Of these latter there is only one species to each 

 of the two genera. 



Nest. — A cavity in a large tree is used, and the eggs are 

 placed upon the decayed Vvood. 



Eggs. — Four to a sitting ; white. Length, 0.7 inch ; breadth, 

 0.6 inch. 



ROSELLA 



(RosEHiLL Parrot), 



Platycercus eximius, Shaw. 



Flal-e-ser'kus eg-zim'i-us. 

 Flatus, broad; kerkos, tail; eximius, excellent. 

 Platycercus eximius, Gould, " Birds of Australia," foL, vol. v., pi. 27. 

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



Key to the Species. — Cheeks white ; head red ; feathers of back 

 edged yellowish-green ; upper tail coverts green. 



The western and eastern sides of the continent have each its 

 own Rosella ; neither trespasses on the other's ground. The 

 former bird has yellow cheeks, the latter white. 



This, the eastern form, is almost too well known to need 

 description. It is quite numerous at times, and very 

 destructive among large fruit, as apples and pears. The 

 trouble commences soon after the young begin to forage, and 

 continues through the summer, or as long as any fruit remains 

 upon the trees or ground. The hotter the day the more 

 persistent the invaders, as if more moisture was necessary for 



