PARROTS OF THE OPEN FOREST AND SCRUB-LANDS 145 
7. Blue Bonnet Psephotus hcematogaster Gould 
hce-mat-o-gas-ter — Gk, haima, haimatos, blood; Gk, gaster, belly. 
Distribution. — Inland from southern Queensland to Victoria, and 
South Australia. 
Notes. — Also called Crimson-bellied Parrot, Yellow-vented Parakeet, 
and Bulloak Parrot. Usually in pairs or small flocks, inhabiting timber 
bordering watercourses and open country dotted with scrub. It is gener- 
ally observed feeding on the ground and is by no means shy ; when flushed 
it flies to a nearby tree. Food : seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants. 
Nest. — In a hollow limb or hole in a tree. 
Eggs. — Three to seven, white. Breeding-season : August to December. 
8. Cockatiel Leptolophus hollandicus Kerr 
Lep'-to-loph'-us — Gk, leptos , delicate; Gk, lophos, crest: hollandicus — of 
(New) Holland. 
Distribution. — Interior of Australia generally ; accidental to 
Tasmania. 
Notes . — Also called Quarrian and Cockatoo Parrot. Usually in pairs 
or flocks, inhabiting timber bordering watercourses and open country dotted 
with scrub. It appears to be nomadic in habits, its movements being regu- 
lated by the supply of food. It is generally seen on the ground searching 
for food, and, when disturbed, usually flies to a dead tree. It has a 
pleasant chattering note. Food: seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants. 
The female is duller in colouring than the male and differs in having the 
tail barred. 
Nest . — In a hollow limb, a hole in a tree, or in a stump. Mostly rather 
large holes in dead trees are selected. 
Eggs. — Four to seven, white. Breeding-season: August to December. 
9. Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius Shaw 
Plat-y-cerc -us — Gk, platys, flat; Gk, cere os, tail: ex-im -i-us — L., eximius , 
excellent. 
Distribution. — From southern Queensland to Victoria to South 
Australia (Adelaide Hills), and Tasmania. 
Notes. — Also called Rosella, Rosehill Parakeet, and Nonpareil Parrot. 
Usually in pairs or flocks, inhabiting open forest country and partly 
cleared lands. It spends much of its time on the ground in search of 
seeds of grasses, which, with wild fruits and berries, constitute its normal 
food. It is destructive in orchards and cultivation paddocks to such an 
extent that it is considered a pest. When disturbed, it flies to a nearby 
tree ; its flight is short and undulating ; its call is a pleasant whistling note. 
Nest . — In a hollow limb or hole in a tree. 
Eggs. — Four to nine, white. Breeding-season: September to January. 
