Vol. VII. 

 1907 



J Sit ay Feathers. gC 



Ranges (South Australia), and there is not the sh"ghtest doubt 

 that the conditions tliat prevail in the neighbourhood of 

 Western River or Snug Cove in Kangaroo Island will meet all 

 their requirements. No time should be lost in introducing this 

 wonderful bird into these places. (Read before the S.A. 

 Ornithological Association, 6/6/07.) — Edwin Ashby. Black- 

 wood (S.A.) 



ROSELLA AND CRIMSON Parrakeets. — The Rosclla {Platy- 

 cercus exiiiniis), though a bird of exquisite beauty, candidly 

 speaking is a thorough scamp, only excelled in sheer impudence 

 by that orchard pest the Musk-Lorikeet {Glossopsittacus coii- 

 cinims). This " cheeky " species has a large head, seemingly a 

 brain-weight equal to that of a Rosella. Nothwithstanding, the 

 Lorikeet has either no sense of danger or will not be educated 

 into it. If a person takes his stand under a richly-blossomed 

 eucalpyt, numbers of shots may be fired at them. Not so with 

 Rosellas. They will cut at the first pop, unless a winged 

 bird is made to scream, when his mates flock in to in- 

 vestigate. We will now put Rosellas on trial for damaging 

 crops. In the vicinage of Woodend North (Shire of New- 

 ham), a white gum country, with a good amount of dead 

 timber and green, these Parrots are numerous. On the block 

 specified there are several dams, and the land is tilled, hence 

 conditions favour the presence of this bird. It was noted that on 

 certain flats considerable damage was done to grain from the time 

 it became eatable until placed in stack. Alighting on the tops of 

 the sheaves, besides taking their fill, they shelled much, which 

 fell upon the ground. To me this waste appeared considerable, 

 but taken for the whole field the loss would not be serious, 

 because if it had people would have tried to cope with the pest. 

 That farmers made no attempt to destroy them is proof that 

 they were not considered a serious nuisance. Since taking up 

 my quarters here (two miles from Drouin) Rosellas have been 

 carefully observed in my sister's garden — a plantation of 

 upwards of 100 fruit trees of various descriptions. When the 

 fruit season arrives, Rosellas in small parties make frequent 

 raids, with fatal consequences to themselves, because one or 

 two are shot. Concerning these marauders my opinion is if 

 not molested others would chum in with them — an increase 

 of invaders means an extension of havoc amongst the fruit. 

 About Drouin there are some extensive orchards. So far, 

 no complaints have reached me to the effect that this bird 

 is a fruit pirate. Since the commencement of this month (June) 

 at this place they have started nipping off" the ends of the future 

 fruit-spikes of pear trees. Whether this is done to sharpen their 



