98 WI-in^E, Eiigs of Goldcn-shoiildcrcd Parrot. ["^i^focT 



Description of Eggs' of the Golden-shouldered 

 Parrot (Psephotus chrysopterygius) 



By H. L. WHITE, C.F.A.O.U., M.P>.O.U., "Belltrees," Scone, 

 X.S.W. 



A considerable amount of mystery was attached to this 

 beautiful little Parrot, it being confused with the Hooded Parrot 

 Psephotus dissiniilis, until \V. McLennan set all doubts at rest 

 by securing a pair on the Archer River, and sending to G. M. 

 Mathews, who confirmed Gould's identification, made in 1857. 



McLennan's observations lead to the conclusion that the 

 habitat of Psephotus chrysopterygius is practically confined to a 

 portion of the Cape York Peninsula, and the country adjacent 

 to the south-eastern shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria. The 

 finding of the Parrot's breeding places, holes drilled into Ter- 

 mites' mounds, led to the equally interesting discovery of a new 

 moth, the cater])illar of which lives in the nests, feeds upon the 

 excreta of the nestlings, and pupates in the termitarium. The 

 moth submitted to Dr. A. Jefferis Turner, of Brisbane, is found 

 to be a new genus which he names Xeossiosynoeca scatophaga, 

 and will describe later in an English scientific paper. The habits 

 of the insects are so extraordinary that Dr. Turner wishes atten- 

 tion drawn to them throughout the world. 



Mr. McLennan first received a definite report ujjon the 

 existence of P. chrysopterygius in the Coen district, when a 

 friend stated he had seen it in the vicinity of Port Stewart, and 

 had noted old nests in anthills. Nothing further was done in 

 the matter until 22nd April, 1922, when a station hand reported 

 having found a bird supposed to be the Golden-shouldered 

 Parrot breeding some 14 miles north of Coen. Mr. 

 McLennan proceeded to the spot, which is a large flat, thickly 

 dotted with magnetic and spire-shaped termitariums. The 

 nesting site was soon located by the half-caste guide; the female 

 bird flushed when the party was a few yards from the nesting 

 hole, which contained six very heavily incubated eggs. The 

 termitarium was sjMre-.shaped, height six feet, with a top 

 diameter of 6 inches. Entrance to the nest 2 ft. 6 in. from 

 ground, circular in shape, \'l in. x H in. Egg chamber 7 in. 

 cHanieter by 6 in. deep. 



Another nesting hole was found (1/5/22) in a magnetic 

 termitarium ; had been taken possession of by a pair of Finches 

 (PocpJiila afropygialis), and their nest partly built ; but under 

 it were found 4 eggs of the Parrot. In this case the nesting 

 hole was 3 ft. from the ground; l^ in. diameter; depth from 

 entrance to rear 1 ft. 11 in.; egg chamber 12§ in. x 4 in. ; eggs 



* Eggs supposed to be those of this bird were described in The Emu, 

 vol. ii., p. 94, but a mistake was clearly made as the Golden-shouldered 

 Parrot is not found west of the Gulf of Carpentaria. 



