i88 BIRDS OF THE DISTRICT OF GEELONG 
There is little difference in colouring between male 
and female, young and adult. 
Food consists of seeds, berries, and insects, with 
cultivated grains and fruits when these are to be had. 
RED-BACKED PARRAKEET 
Psephotus hcematonotus 
This is a bird which belongs to the districts north of 
the Dividing Range (where it is called the Grass 
Parrot), and is also found in the western and north- 
western parts of the Western District plains. To 
the latter areas, where it inhabits the blue-gum planta- 
tions, it probably came from the north via Horsham 
and Ararat, for it is essentially an interior species. 
Mr. Mulder says he has met with it on the plains 
north of Geelong ; but my own experience is limited 
to one occurrence, a flock of seven or eight which 
I was surprised to see at Torquay in May, 191 1. They 
were restless and difficult of approach, and evidently 
travelling. 
The note is a loud, varied and pleasing whistle ; 
on mild, sunlit winter days a flock will produce what 
one might almost term a chorus of song. 
ORANGE-BELLIED PARRAKEET 
Neonanodes chrysogaster chrysogaster 
This is a small Grass Parrakeet, with blue forehead- 
band, like the next species, but of a duller general 
