150 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
PLATE XXII 
PARROTS OF THE TREE-TOPS AND OPEN SPACES 
1. Blue-winged Parrot Neophema chrysostoma Kuhl 
N e-o-phem -a — Gk, neos, new ; Gk, pheme, voice : chrys-o-stom-a — Gk, 
chrysos, golden; Gk, stoma , mouth. 
Distribution. — New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, King 
Island, and Tasmania. 
Notes. — Also. called Blue-banded Grass-parrot. Usually in pairs or 
small flocks, frequenting the grass-lands and sparsely timbered country. It 
is nomadic in habits, and is found either on the coastal sandhills or in the 
inland areas. It appears to be a definite migrant to Tasmania, where it 
usually arrives during September, remains to breed, and departs in 
February or March. Like the other members of the genus this species 
is generally seen feeding among the grass and it will often allow an 
observer to approach quite closely before it flies away. When disturbed, 
the birds usually rise simultaneously, uttering feeble call-notes, but soon 
settle again, either on the ground or in a nearby tree. Food: seeds of 
grasses and herbaceous plants. 
Nest . — In a hole in a tree, stump, or log. 
Eggs. — Five to seven, pure white. Breeding-season: October to 
January. 
2. Orange-breasted Parrot Neophema chrysogaster Latham 
chrys-o-gas-ter — Gk, chrysos, golden; Gk, gaster, belly. 
Distribution. — New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and 
Tasmania. 
Notes. — Also called Orange-bellied Grass-parrot. Usually in pairs 
or small flocks, frequenting grass-lands or partly timbered areas. Like 
the Blue-winged Parrot this species is a summer visitant to Tasmania. It 
is becoming extremely rare, both on the mainland and in Tasmania. In 
habits and economy it is similar to the Blue-winged Parrot. 
Nest. — Usually in a hole in a limb; sometimes in a stump or log 
lying on the ground. 
Eggs. — Four or five, pure white. Breeding-season : November to 
January. 
