ACROSS THE PLAINS 173 



Parrot, were located. One was on the ground within 

 a hollow trunk, the entrance being a knot-hole twelve 

 feet above. One of the farmers told us that a pair 

 of Native Companions had nested in a swamp a mile 

 from the house. We had heard much concerning 



ROSE - BREASTED COCKATOO (GALAH) 

 (A Tame -Wild Bird). 



these birds at another farm, where a lanky fledgling 

 was being reared as a pet, though Riverina folk, as 

 a rule, regard the Crane as a pest. We were told 

 that one farmer had recently poisoned over four hun- 

 dred birds : the old story, "They damage wheat crops." 

 Great flocks of Galahs were seen in the vicinity 

 of the homestead, and my friend arranged for the 

 two men to stay there, while he and I went farther 

 afield to observe, instead of capture, birds. An albino 



