Night Parakeets . 479 



nest is formed and four white eggs laid. When the dark shades of evening have 

 fairly set in, it comes out to feed, but generally flies direct to the nearest water, 

 which is often a considerable distance from its nest ; in some instances I have 

 known them to fly a distance of four or five miles. After drinking and shaking 

 themselves up a little, they fly off to feed on the seeds of the porcupine grass, 

 returning to water two or three times during the night." In color this species is 

 olive-green above, many of the feathers with a black middle, others with a spot 

 of yellow, while the cheeks and sides of the neck are provided with small black 

 spots, and the lower parts are sulphur-yellow, with black bands on the sides; 

 the length is between nine and ten inches. 



