GREEN LEEK. 
so Desmarest corrected the error by dedicating the species to Swainson. 
Nothing was known save that it came from New Holland. 
The female was described as a distinct species by Vigors a few years later. 
Gould was unable to add much. He writes : “Is a native of the interior 
of New South Wales and Victoria. Living individuals are frequently brought 
down to Sydney by the draymen of the Argyle county, where it appears to 
be a common species. When we know more of its history I expect it will be 
found to inhabit similar localities, and enjoy a similar range to the P. melanura, 
and that the two species as closely assimilate in their habits and economy as 
they do in form. It is somewhat singular that the females of this and the 
succeeding bird should have been described by the late Mr. Vigors as distinct 
species from the males. From the length of its wings and the general contour 
of its body, we may be assured that its power of flight is very great, and that 
it doubtless removes from one part of the country to another whenever nature 
prompts it to do so.” 
Gould’s suggestion as to its range being coincident with that of its con- 
gener has not been confirmed, and its movements are also very restricted, its 
range being one of the least of the Australian Parrots. This points to an early 
extinction unless steps are immediately taken for its protection. 
Captain S. A. White has written me : “ Polytelis swainsonii. I was told 
that these birds were very numerous once on the Riverina, but during my visit 
two or three years ago I found them very rare. I noticed one or two coming 
in to water at the river and flying very swiftly out back ; at last heard that 
the settler had some wheat ripening, and that this had attracted some of these 
birds, so drove and found a dozen to eighteen feeding on the wheat heads and 
secured several specimens as they showed no sign of alarm. I am afraid they 
will be easily exterminated by the settlers, which will be a great pity for they are 
glorious birds. Great numbers came into Sydney alive at one time, but of late 
few or none have been seen. I was told by natives and others that these 
gorgeous birds nested in the very high gums on the river banks and it was 
seldom that the nests were accessible.” 
So little has been recorded of the life history of this fine species, owing 
to its restricted habitat, that I make no apology for the transcription of the 
following from the Austr. Mus. Spec. Cat ., No. 1., Vol. III. : Mr. G. A. 
Keartland wrote : “ Being desirous of seeing Polytelis barrabandi in its home 
on the Murrumbidgee River, New South Wales, Messrs. T. & C. Buttlebank 
and I arranged to be driven to one of the river flats, where it frequently breeds 
and from which the clutch of eggs in my cabinet was taken. The date of our 
visit was the 25th September, 1901. We found the male birds very numerous, 
in couples or in flocks of from six to ten, but only noticed two females, which 
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