8o 



CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



green, and the under-feathers streaked with yellow along the shaft; both sides of the belly and 

 the inner side of the leg are spotted with purple. The primary quills are black, bordered at the 

 edge with dark green, and surrounded by a yellowish line. The beak is scarlet, the foot a light 

 ash grey, the cere and the bare patch around the eye are greenish white, the iris is reddish yellow, 

 with narrow red rings around the pupil. 



We are indebted to Gilbert for a short description of the habits of this species, which is found on 

 the northern side of Australia, more particularly near Port Essington. These birds assemble, he tells 

 us, in innumerable hosts, and settle upon the gum-trees in order to obtain nectar from their flowers : 



THE PURPLE-CAPPED LORY, OR LORIKEET (LoriltS domicella). 



whilst a flock is in motion, their movements are so regular and simultaneous that they might be 

 mistaken for a passing cloud, did not their piercing cries undeceive the spectator. 



SWAINSON'S LORIKEET. 

 A Lorikeet nearly related to the preceding, called after Swainson (Psitteutehs Swainsonii), has 

 been described by Gould as follows : — " The South Australian woods of gum-trees, extending to 

 Moreton's Bay and Van Dieman's Land, shelter large flocks of Swainson's Lorikeets, the flowers of 

 these forests furnishing them with a plentiful supply of nectar and pollen ; such trees as have newly 

 blossomed being preferred to any others by these dainty little creatures. The appearance of a forest 

 of Eucalypti covered with blossoms, upon which various species of Parrots and Honey-birds are 

 feeding, baffles all description ; three or four different kinds may often be seen busily combining to 

 rob the same branch ; nor is it easier to imagine the thousands of tones and cries uttered by a flock 

 when rising into the air, preparatory to leaving one tree for another." These swarms must be seen 



