THE RED-FRONTED PARRAKEET 149 



Members of this species, as well as of C auriceps (p. 151) were 

 placed on the Kapiti Island sanctuary by Dr. L. Cockayne in December, 

 1907. 



The Kermadec Island Parrakeet. 



Cjja n rJi a mpli us cyanurus. 



Green, the top of the head crimson. Tail blue, the two central 

 feathers tinged with green. Length of the wing, 6.6 in.; of the tarsus, 

 0.82 in. Eaoul Island, Kermadec Group. 



The Red-fronted Parrakeet. — Kakariki. 

 CijanorJiampJiHs novae-zealandiae. 



Bright green with blue on the wings. Forehead and top of the head 

 crimson. Variable in size. Eye crimson. Length of the wing 5.2 to 4.6 

 in.; of the tarsus, 0.75 to 0.56 inch. The sexes and the young are alike 

 in plumage, but the female is smaller than the male. Egg — White; 

 length, 1.1 inch. Both Islands, and Auckland Islands. In the Auck- 

 land birds the depth of the crest of the sternum is less in proportion 

 to its length than in birds from New Zealand. 



Many years ago the red-fronted species was numerous in the 

 beech forests in the jNIalvern district and in the smaller woods 

 along the banlcs of the alpine riverbeds of Canterbury. It became 

 very scarce for a number of years, and then increased again.. 

 Breeding early, it commences nesting almost in the winter. Its: 

 nesting-places are found at various heights, from a few feet to 

 at least 60 feet from the ground. A hole in a shallow tree or a 

 decayed branch is sometimes selected, and occasionally it is placed 

 between the hole of the tree and a piece of loosened bark. The 

 eggs are dej^osited on the decayed wood at the bottom of the 

 hole, or a slight nest is formed. One nest obtained was made 

 entirely of feathers, moss, and the downy scales of tree-ferns. 

 These materials were arranged into very slight fabric of a cup- 

 like form, which just fitted the hollow selected for the breeding 

 place. The hen lays five, six, or more eggs, which are broadly 

 oval, and sometimes nearly spherical. At nesting time the birds 

 often indulge in a low murmuring note to each other. 



