278 AkC.IIJ', IVirds of Lake Fromc District. iTst^Apdr 



Corella, I presumed it was a case of "possession is nine points of 

 the law." This species often hunts the Galah cut of its home, but 

 invariably cleans out the leaves. Nests from May to October, accord- 

 ing to season, nesting very freely m good years, when two or more 

 broods are reared, but in bad seasons most of the birds seek bettei- 

 quarteis for nesting. The eggs are much coarser in texture and 

 thicker of shell than Galah's eggs. 



Leptolcphus hollandicus. Cockatiel. — Only in good years does this 

 splendid Parrot visit district, rarely nests with us. Its eggs, five or 

 six in number, are laid on wood dust in a hollow spout of tree, in- 

 variably near water. 



Aprosmictus erythropteru.s. Red-winged Parrot. — Seen only twice, 

 one taken for identification identified by Mr. Frank E. Parsons — first 

 record for South Australia. Seen during the very bad season of 1920. 



Barnardius barnardi. Ring-necked (Mallee) Parrot. — Fairly nume- 

 rous; breeds, laying 4 to 5 eggs on wood-dust in hollow spouts of 

 eucalyptus during August-September. 



Psephotus haematogaster. Blue-bonnet Parrot. — Rarely seen ex- 

 cept in good seasons. No record of its breeding. Usually found in 

 open sand-hill country towards N.S.W. border. 



Psephotus varius. Many-coloured Parrot.— Common, in pairs 

 generally; breeds in hollow spouts of eucalyptus; eggs, 4 or 5 in 

 number, placed on wood dust. Female sits closely on eggs or young, 

 and mostly will remain on eggs or young until nest is cut out. 

 Have taken five eggs from under female and left her in hollow; first 

 placed a handkerchief over bird and gradually worked eggs from 

 under her. Male "gives the show away" when near nest. He is 

 greatly disturbed, and flies to arid from the tree. Striking the tree 

 with a heavy object will seldom flush the female. 



Neophema elegans. Grass-Parrot. — Fairly numerous in good 

 season; no record of breeding. Only seen in open plain country. 



Neophema splendida. Scarlet-chested Grass-Parrot. — Rare. Speci- 

 men sent to Mr. Frank E. Parsons for identification, now in his col- 

 lection. Seen only in pairs or at most three or four together on open 

 flats in sand-hill country. I have no breeding record. This bird wa» 

 generally considered to be almost extinct. 



Melopsittacus undulatus. Budgerygah (Shell-Parrot). — In good 

 seasons their numbers are unlimited, liocks of thousands arriving one 

 after the other; breed freely, as many as five nests being noted in 

 one tree, and at times almost every suitable hollow spout is tenanted 

 by a breeding female. Lays from four to seven eggs en wood dust 

 in hollow; nesting period regulated by season; breeds at almost any 

 time of year. Even in a good year these birds may not appear, and 

 it is apparently only when driven in by adverse conditions in the 

 far interior that they favour us with a visit. Have taken eggs from 

 an old Babblers' nest; female flushed. 



I'odargus strigoides. Tawny Frogmouth. — Common; known as 

 "Stick-bird." Their calls are a deep grunt and "moorpoork." They 

 breed freely, laying two or three eggs on a very flat platform of 

 sticks placed in a horizontal fork of a tree, on top of parasitic 

 growth in small trees or on the end of a broken-oflF branch. They 

 are easily caught on nest. The mate is usually perched "stick-like" 

 in neighbouring tree; breeds July to November. 



Aegolheles cristata. Owlet Nightjar. — Very common; breeds; 

 three or four eggs are placed on a bed of gum leaves in hollow spout 

 of eucalyptus; bird easily caught in hollow. The eggs have peculiar 

 sound when rubbed together after being blown; nesting from July to 

 October, regular. 



Halcyon pyrrhopygius. Red-backed Kingfisher. — Few appear till 

 August; stay till November-December, and breed freely in tunnels 



