22 MATESHIP WITH BIRDS 



quickly in Birdland every branch has its bird. An 

 almond tree in full bloom is a pageant in itself, ex- 

 celling in pure radiance the magnificently assertive 

 jacaranda and flame-tree of Queensland. And when 

 its bird-guests are present the very air breaks into 

 flower. There are the black-white-and-yellow of the 

 madcap New Holland Honeyeater, and the delicate 

 greens and whites of the "Chickowee" and Silvereye, 

 with the distinctive colors of the Scarlet-faced and 

 Purple-crowned Lorikeets making for a vivid im- 

 pression of the Tennysonian fancy of blossom in 

 purple and red. 



I see only these two of the Lorikeets in the almond 

 trees the small, swift-flying "Gizzie," and, more 

 plentifully, the aptly-named Purple-crowned Lori- 

 keet, a slightly larger bird than its congener, but 

 hardly imposing enough to warrant the tremendous 

 "state" name of Glossopsitta porphyrocephala. 

 Happily, however, the busy little 'Keet sees not 

 itself as scientists see it, and there is nothing but 

 joyousness in all its movements, whether it be per- 

 forming acrobatic feats in the almond tree or shout- 

 ing along through the upper air. 



It is worth noting, incidentally, that there is none 

 of this clamor when the birds are in a tree close to 

 a house. The Silvereyes may lilt away to their 

 hearts' content, and the bees may drone unceasingly, 

 but the little purple-crowned birds remain discreetly 

 quiet. It may be, of course, that they are too busy 

 with the blossoms, but, having listened to their gaily 

 irresponsible chatter when out of sight of human 

 habitation, or in trees that do not show up green- 

 coated birds, I prefer to give the Lories credit for 



