OF VICTORIA. 247 



MQSK LORIKEET 



(Green 'Keet, Musky Pahrakeet), 



Glossopsittaciis conciniiiiSt Shaw. 



Glo-sop-sW a-kus kon-sinus. 

 Glossa, tongue ; psittahos, a parrot ; concimius, compact. 



Trichoglossus concinnus, Gould, "Birds of Australia," fol., 

 vol. v., pi. 52. 



Geogeapiiical Distribution.— Areas 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. 



Key to the Species.— General colour green ; no red on cheeks ; 

 ear coverts red, like forehead ; bill black. 



The distribution of this species is complete along the eastern 

 side of our continent, with Tasmania. My experience of 

 the bird is in southern Victoria, where it is what I would 

 call an overhead species, for we get our first impressions 

 through the ear from high in the air, and looking up one 

 sees a dashing Jflock of parrots screeching and quickly 

 getting beyond the vision. Having a brush tongue it should 

 hold an advantage above most others which have biting bills 

 alone ; necessary in the attack upon hard fruits, &c. I 

 seldom notice the birds between the middle of May and the 

 end of August, but on the 19th of July, 1898, I heard one 

 skyward. The 1897-98 summer was hot, the weather being 

 very warm in April, particularly mild in winter, and with 

 every indication at the end of August of an early summer, 

 so that it stayed about the district. With a hot season and 

 plenty of nectar blossoms, how it does enjoy life ! Having 

 shot a specimen one day and held its head down, the 

 " honey " streamed and dripped from its throat for nearly a 

 minute. The eucalypts act as "foster-parents" in January. 

 In the warmer portions of the colony it attacks, in great 

 force, fruit trees, and leaves their fruit in a most unsatis- 



