144 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
considered “lost,” but recently isolated pairs have been recorded. It 
is generally observed feeding on the ground, and when disturbed flies to 
a nearby tree. Food: seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants. 
Nest. — A hollowed-out chamber in a termites* mound on the ground, 
entered through a narrow tunnel. 
Eggs. — Three to five, white. Breeding-season: usually August to 
December, and as late as March or April. 
4. Red-backed Parrot Psephotus hcematonotus Gould-— 4A. Female 
hcz'-mat-o-ndt'-us — Gk, haima, haimatos, blood; Gk, noton , back. 
Distribution. — South-western Queensland, New South Wales, Vic- 
toria, and South Australia. 
Notes. — Also called Red-rumped Parrot, Grass Parrot, and Ground 
Parrot. Usually in pairs or flocks, frequenting sparsely timbered grass- 
lands. It is more often seen on the ground than in trees. The call-note 
is a pleasing whistle, almost a song, which is uttered while the bird is 
perched in a tree or when in flight. F ood : seeds of grasses and other 
plants. 
Nest. — In a hollow limb or hole in a tree. 
Eggs. — Four to seven, white. Breeding-season : September to 
November or December. 
5. Mulga Parrot Psephotus varius Clark 
var-i-us — L., varius , different. 
Distribution . — Central Australia, inland from southern Queensland to 
Victoria to Western Australia. 
Notes. — Also called Many-coloured Parrot and Varied Parrot. 
Usually in pairs or family parties, frequenting open scrub-lands and timber 
bordering watercourses. It spends much of its time on the ground in 
search of seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants; it is by no means shy. 
When disturbed, it flies to a nearby tree, returning to the ground again 
immediately the observer moves away. Its note is a slight chattering call, 
or whistle, often repeated. 
Nest .- — In a hollow limb or hole in a tree — usually a eucalyptus 
bordering a watercourse. 
Eggs. — Four to six, white. Breeding-season: July to December. 
6. Little Blue Bonnet Psephotus nar ethos H. L. White 
mrethce — Naretha, on Transcontinental Railway (Western Australia). 
Distribution. — South-eastern portion of Western Australia. 
Notes.— Also called Naretha Parrot. Usually in pairs, family 
parties, or flocks, inhabiting open country dotted with patches of scrub. 
It has a soft, flute-like note resembling “Cloote-cloote.” Generally 
observed feeding on the ground or in low shrubs. Food: seeds of grasses 
and herbaceous plants. 
Nest. — In a hole in a tree — chiefly a casuarina. 
Eggs. — Four to six, white. Breeding-season: August to December. 
