PARROTS. 



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and heard if we would form any adequate idea of them. During a morning's walk in the woods, 

 near the Hunter river, Gould came upon an enormous gum-tree, about 200 feet high, in full bloom, 

 upon which hundreds were perched in the utmost harmony ; he killed specimens of all the four 

 species of Lorikeet found in that part of the country upon one bough. 



The flight of these Lorikeets is very powerful, and as straight as that of an arrow : they rise 

 with surprising rapidity, dart through the air uttering noisy cries, and climb the trees with much 

 adroitness, more in the manner of a Titmouse than of a Parrot. After sunrise they are so busily 

 occupied in imbibing the nectar from the flowers, that they can scarcely be frightened from their 



THE DAPPLED LORIKEET {Psitteuteles versicolor). 



perch, and Gould found that the firing of a gun had no other result than a loud scream, or merely 

 caused some of the birds to quit the branch that had been aimed at, and settle on another. So 

 successful are they in their search for nectar, that it often streams from the mouths of those that 

 have been shot if they are held up by the feet. 



Little has been learnt by travellers of the incubation of this species, but it would seem that the 

 flocks do not divide in the breeding season ; as many couples build upon one tree as can find room 

 upon it. The nest is made in the holes of trees during the month of October, and contains from two 

 to four white round eggs. In certain parts of Australia the Lorikeets are great favourites with the 

 natives, who string their heads into chains, with which they deck themselves as with garlands. 



THE MAIDEN LORIKEET. 

 The Maiden Lorikeet (Coryfihilus Tahitianus), another member of this group, inhabits the 

 islands of the Pacific Ocean, and principally Tahiti, from which it receives its name. It is a 

 magnificent little bird, about six inches long, with a tail that measures two inches and a half. The 

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