KING PARROT. 
they may be seen in large flocks, on the farms, clinging on the stalks, 
and occasioning much mischief to the corn. I apprehend that the greater 
part of these flocks are young birds, as it is rare to see a bright red one 
among them. The natives tell me it breeds chiefly in a White Gum-tree (a species 
of Eucalyptus), making its nest of a little grass, and lining it with feathers. 
It has as many as twelve young ones. The eggs are of a dirty white with 
black specks. The nest is found by the bird enlarging the hole to creep 
in at. This process gives the surrounding part a reddish appearance, which, 
forming a contrast with the whiteness of the other parts, renders it 
conspicuous.” 
Gould wrote : “ This very showy and noble species appears to be 
extremely local in its habitat ; I have not seen it from any other portion of 
Australia than New South Wales, in which country it appears to be almost 
exclusively confined to the brushes, particularly such as are low and humid, 
and where the large Casuarince grow in their greatest profusion. All the brushes 
stretching along the southern and eastern coast appear to be equally favoured 
with its presence as it there finds a plentiful supply of food, consisting of 
seeds and berries. At the period when the Indian corn is becoming ripe, it 
leaves its umbrageous abode and sallies forth in vast flocks, which commit great 
devastation on the ripening grain. It is rather a dull and inactive species 
compared with the members of the restricted genus Platycercus ; it flies much 
more heavily, and is very different in its disposition, for although it soon 
becomes habituated to confinement, it is less easily tamed and much less con- 
fiding and familiar ; the great beauty of the male, however, somewhat com- 
pensates for this unpleasant trait, and consequently it is highly prized as a 
cagebird. I was never so fortunate as to find the eggs of this species, neither 
could I gather any information respecting this part of the bird’s economy ; 
and I am inclined to look with suspicion on the account of its breeding given 
by Mr. Caley in the Linnean Transactions ; in my opinion it must have reference 
to some other bird.” 
Mr. Edwin Ashby has written me : “ The most westerly locality in which 
I have met with this bird is Lorn, Cape Otway, Victoria. They are very 
destructive to the Potato crops there at certain seasons.” 
Captain 8. A. White notes : “I have only met with this bird in the heavy 
timbered country where it seemed to be scarce, scattered over the districts I 
have Worked in : nowhere did I see it really numerous. It seems to procure 
much of its food upon the ground and have often flushed it from the high grass 
and undergrowth growing amongst the timber.” 
Practically nothing is known respecting its life-economy and it must be 
urged that study should be undertaken as soon as possible as the very restricted 
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