104 ORANGE-BELLIED PABBAEEET. 



has been "looking up" of late, and we hope that ere long the delightful 

 bird under consideration will cease to be a desideratum with us over 

 here. 



At first sight the Orange-bellied Grass Parrakeet bears a strong 

 resemblance to the Blue-banded, but a careful comparison reveals a 

 considerable difference between them. The blue forehead band is not 

 so conspicuous as in the case of the latter bird, while the orange tinting 

 of the under surface is deeper, and more concentrated, forming a well- 

 defined patch of a deep yellow, or rather orange colour between the 

 thighs. 



Gould found these birds existing in considerable numbers on the 

 small islands at the entrance of Entrecasteaux's Channel, where he 

 thought, though without having found any, that they laid their eggs 

 on the ground, or among the stones on the shore, for there are no 

 trees on the islands; but it is more likely that these Parrakeets go 

 elsewhere to breed, as they are very strong on the wing, and able to 

 fly a considerable distance without taking rest. 



Their note is singular, resembling a sharp snapping sound, and forms 

 a marked contrast to the more melodious call of the Elegant. 



Though frequenting Tasmania and the adjacent islets, the Orange - 

 bellied Parrakeet is also found on the mainland, especially in the low 

 swampy grounds existing between the port of Adelaide and Holdfast 

 Bay; and specimens collected in summer and in winter, and in different 

 places, presented no appreciable difference in their plumage. 



The female is generally like her mate, but the orange spot on her 

 belly is fainter and not quite so large as his. 



This bird is. not found in New South Wales or Western Australia, 

 and appears to be a winter visitant only to the colony of South Aus- 

 tralia. 



A strong family likeness runs through all the family of the Grass 

 Parrakeets; the Blue-banded {Euphema chrysostoma), the Orange-bellied 

 (Euphema aurantia), the Elegant (Euphema elegans), the Bock Grass 

 Parrakeet (Euphema petrophila), the Turquoisine (Euphema pulchetta), 

 and even the Splendid Grass Parrakeet (Euphema splendida), might 

 all be taken for varieties of the same species, but there is little or no 

 doubt that they are all different; the Blue-banded, however, and the 

 Orange-bellied often fly in company, and might be considered identical, 

 but for the points of difference we have pointed out, and which we 

 consider sufficient to constitute them two distinct species. 



Like all the Grass Parrakeets, the Orange-belly has the tarsi rather 

 long, and runs with swiftness on the ground; its flight, too, is powerful, 

 and well sustained. 



