^°''i^iV^'] Mattingley, The Ground-Parrot. 217 



and as well it chooses a class of growth that permits of the free 

 exercise of its habit of running rapidly through it, but free from 

 observation ; and a place which also contains its food supply, 

 consisting mainly of the seeds of grasses and shrubs and tender 

 shoots of plants. 



The Ground-Parrot has been occasionally encountered in 

 swampy places on uplands, and has also been found on open 

 plains and swampy areas on mountains. Like its congener, the 

 Night-Parrot {GeopsiUacus occidentalis), the Ground-Parrot is 

 doomed to early extinction on the mainland of Australia, 

 especially in those parts whereon the foxes are encroaching, in 

 the course of the next few years, as will be shown later on. 



The call of the Ground- Parrot is issued in a somewhat warbling 

 fashion, harmonious withal, but convejdng a sense of sadness 

 well befitting the nature of its environment. On windy days 

 the note is rarely heard, no doubt on account of its want of 

 fulness and carrying capacity. It appears to be used solely in 

 calling to its mate. As far as could be ascertained, it uses its 

 call as infrequently as possible. The following is the call set to 

 music, and is repeated softly by the bird two or three times 

 generally : — 





Repeat three times. 



The notes, therefore, of the last remnants of the Pezoporns are not 

 easily detected. 



Ground-Parrots lead a terrestrial life solely, and are never found 

 in trees. I have seen a bird, however, climb up to the height 

 of about one foot on a shrub after some seeds growing thereon. 

 When flushed they fly rapidly away, somewhat after the whirring 

 manner of a Quail, but not so direct, since they zigzag in their 

 course. No fright screech is uttered either when rising from the 

 ground during flight or on capture. When handled the birds 

 bite savagely in defence of their liberty. When flushed they 

 mount up in the air about 4 or 5 feet — usually a foot or two above 

 the herbage — and proceed from 30 yards to even as far as 

 200 yards should the intervening ground flown over be too open 

 or otherwise unsuitable to alight on as a covert. The late Mr. 

 A. J. North records that on one occasion he noticed birds that he 

 had flushed alight on a fence. 



I am informed by an old Quail-shooter who lived by hunting 

 that his retriever dog used, years ago, when the Parrots were 

 plentiful, to run down these birds and frequently capture them. 

 This evidences the fact that it is a difficult matter to flush the 

 birds. I have noticed, once birds have been flushed, if there be 

 plenty of cover available, the Ground-Parrot will not flush again, 

 expose itself, and fly away, but it prefers to trust to its powers 

 of running to place itself beyond danger. They sleep on the 



