PARROTS AND WOODPECKERS 219 



kind with discs that, as the seeds ripen, attain the 

 size of cheese-plates, squirrels and parrots are sure to 

 make their appearance as the heads mature. There 

 are few more fascinating sights than that of a group 

 of the beautiful slender birds, with vivid green 

 plumage and coral-red beaks and claws, hanging 

 about among the grey-green foliage, or flying from 

 one place to another and pausing on fluttering wings 

 before taking up a new position within easy reach of 

 one of the heavy flower-heads. Nor is it less 

 delightful to see them feeding on the fruit of a sisu- 

 tree, Dalbergia sissu. They are very fond of the 

 seeds, and come in on noisily whirring wings to settle 

 in small parties among the small, tremulous, greyish 

 leaves to pluck off the winged fruits and hold them 

 in one rosy foot whilst their contents are daintily 

 nibbled out. However "abominable" they may be 

 they are quite lovely among the pallid green foliage 

 and warm brown bunches of fruit, more especially 

 when lighted up by golden afternoon sunshine that 

 glorifies their emerald plumage and glowing bills and 

 feet, and brings out in strong relief the orange ring 

 around their waiy dark eyes. Very beautiful, too, 

 a parrot looks when seated on the slender bending 

 branch of a casuarina, with the reddish bark and 

 feathery green foliage glistening with adherent dew- 

 drops and projected against a background of palest 

 blue sky, that melts off towards the horizon into a 

 soft pinkish haze (Plate XII.). Very admirable also 



