302 Birds. 



THE WABBLING GRASS PAROQUET. 



(Mekpsittacus undulatusj) 



GREAT numbers of Paroquets of different species are 

 found in Australia, and most of these live and seek their 

 food upon the ground rather than in trees. One of 

 them is called the Ground Paroquet, as it is never seen 

 to perch upon trees, but is always running about 

 among the grass and herbage. The Warbling Grass 

 Paroquet is a well known and beautiful little Australian 

 bird, of which considerable numbers have been im- 

 ported into this country of late years ; it is deservedly a 

 favourite, both on account of its elegance, and from 

 its possessing a gentle warbling note very different 

 from the harsh screaming of many species of its tribe. 

 It can, however, scream vigorously for its size. In 

 the interior of Australia these charming little birds occur 

 in countless multitudes. They feed chiefly on the seeds 

 of grasses, which they pick up whilst running upon the 

 ground, but they perch in crowds upon the gum-trees 

 for shelter from the noon-day heat, and also before 

 starting on an expedition in search of water. 



THE COCKATOO. (Plyctolophus gakritus., 

 THIS bird is distinguished from the parrots, by a beau 



