14 FAESOXS—Xeophema ^/Jcndida. 



hundred sheep only jjrazing; over a large extent of bush. As 

 a place easily reached from Adelaide where indigenous fauna 

 and flora can be preserved it could be made a real educational 

 asset 'to the State. Evidences of kangaroos were fairly nume- 

 rous and one of our party saw a fine fellow^ quite close. 



rSeopherna splendida. 



SCARLET CHEv^TEl) GRASS PARROT. 

 By F. E. Parsons, R.A.O.U. 



This beautiful little parrot is among the "rara avis" of 

 Australian forms; in fact there has for some time past been a 

 suggestion that this bird must be added to the painfully grow- 

 ing list of Australian extinct birds. It is therefore with much 

 pleasure that I am able to record that although apparently 

 very few in numbers, the birds have not altogether dis- 

 appeared. 



Under date September. 1919, I received a female of this 

 species, sent by Mr. L. K. McGilp from Moolawatana Station, 

 North of Lake Frome, South Australia. It was picked up iby 

 one of the station hands, having been killed by flying into a 

 netting fence. 



Mr. McCrilp not being sure of the specties forwarded it to 

 me for identification. In further correspondence. Mr. McGilp 

 informs me that the man had noticed a few of these birds 

 (some with scarlet chests) feeding on 'the ground in the sand 

 hill country, and that about twelve months previously, he. in 

 company with his brother Niel. had seen four birds of this 

 species, also in the sand hill country, three green ehestetl 

 birds and one beautifully coloured male with the scarlet 

 chest. 



I am very pleased to have this addition to my collection. 

 As far as I can ascertain, there are only two other examples 

 of this species in South Australian collections, each of them a 

 male. 



It is a difficult matter to understand why this species and 

 its near ally, the Red-shouldered Grass Parrot, have been so 

 reduced in numbers, as Mr. Mathews says, "It certainly can- 

 not be due to the scientific bird collector." 



Any data regarding the life history of this beautiful form 

 would be very welcome and those coming in contact with the 



