THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
They have always been in hilly country when I have seen them, and in one 
locality I found that the vernacular name was ‘ Hill Parrot.’ ” 
Captain S. A. White has noted : “ This bird is very plentiful ’midst the 
big timbered country of Tasmania : the habits seem the same as those of other 
members of the family.” 
Mr. J. W. Mellor’s notes read : “I have seen this bird in various parts of 
Tasmania, from the low lying plains up to the tops of the high and wooded 
mountain peaks. I have taken specimens near Hobart in the South, just out of 
Launceston in the North of the State, and in Nov. and Dec., 1908, I noted the 
birds on the islands north of Tasmania, notably on King Island, Three 
Hummocks Island of the Hunter Group, and other islands. I found that 
they favoured the timbered country as a rule, for they make their nests in the 
large hollow limbs of the gums. Their call is a loud shrill whistle similar to the 
other members of the Platycercus family, being one somewhat prolonged note 
followed by five short vibratory notes.” 
In the Austr. Mus. Spec. Cat., No. 1, Vol. III., Mr. M. Harrison’s observa- 
tions read : “ Years ago I remember the ‘ Green Parrakeet ’ ( Platycercus 
flaviventris ) as very plentiful in the Midlands, where numbers of them might 
be seen in the season feeding upon the fruit of the Hawthorn and Sweet Briar 
hedges. I can also recollect them congregating about the bam doors in the 
old hand- threshing days among the domestic fowls, just as described by Gould. 
As unfortunately is the case with so many of our native birds, however, they 
are not now to be found in numbers anywhere approaching ‘ old times ’ and 
except in a few favoured localities their eggs are difficult to obtain, and are 
looked upon as a ‘ good find.’ About here they are scarce, but I remember 
some years ago that a visitation was made by them to these southern parts 
(Glenorchy, Tasmania) literally in thousands. Every man possessing the 
semblance of a gun was after them for the pot, and the number slain must 
have reached a high figure. Only once since, some eight or nine years ago, 
has this occurred, where flocks, although not so large as on the previous occasion, 
spread over the Derwent Valley as far down as Austin’s Ferry. Presumably 
some accident of climate and consequent deficiency in food supply in their 
usual habitat was responsible for the occurrence.” Mr. R. N. Atkinson of 
Penguin, Tasmania, wrote : “ Platycercus flaviventris , locally known as the 
‘ Green Parrot,’ may often be seen in the winter months, and just before the 
breeding season, in flocks of from ten to thirty or even more, and large numbers 
can be flushed from the ground, where their food is obtained, in the form of dock, 
grass and other seeds. On these occasions it is not unusual for a sentry bird 
to be on duty in a neighbouring tree, and in the event of an intrusion a warning 
note from him will cause the whole flock to fly into the trees, or away to a fresh 
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