134 



PARROTS. 



base, with the inner webs black and the tips yellow. The female is somewhat 

 paler. 



Turquoisines inhabit the south east of Australia, not ranging far inlancl 

 and being generally found in family -parties of from six to eight, although 

 when the grass is in seed they assemble, with others of their kindred, in large 

 flocks, to feast on their favourite food. These parrots are largely terrestrial 



TURQUOISINE GRASS-PARRAQUET (| Uat. size). 



in their habits ; and although the turquoisine nests in hollows of trees, other 

 species select clefts of rocks in which to lay their eggs. The number of 

 the latter is generally eight; and the male is said to render no assistance in 

 incubation. 



In New Zealand and some of the neighbouring islands this group of parrots is 

 represented by the genus Cyanorltainphus, characterised by the upper mandible of 

 the beak being black at the tip and pearly grey at the base; the red-fronted 

 parraquet (C novce-zealandice) being a well-known species. 



