GRASS PARROT. 
seen these trees literally covered with them, intermingled with the orange- 
breasted species (E. aurantia) which, however, was far less numerous. 
When they rise, they spread out and display their beautiful yellow tail-feathers 
to the greatest advantage. Gilbert informed me that, in Western Australia, 
“ the elegant Grass-Parrakeet inhabits every variety of situation, but 
particularly where there is an abundance of grass, the seeds of which are its 
favourite food ; it may be generally observed in small families, but at 
Kojenup, where there are several pools, and no other water for many 
miles round, I saw these birds in myriads ; but although I shot a great many 
they were nearly all young birds. Its flight is rapid and even, and frequently 
at considerable altitudes.” 
Captain S. A. White’s notes read : “ Neonanodes elegcms is fairly plentiful 
in the country adjacent to Lakes Alexandrina and Albert and also in the 
Coorong. I have met with this bird in small flocks in the vicinity of Lake 
Albert, South Australia, feeding on burnt ground, a fire having passed over 
it some few days previously, and later saw some small parties amongst 
the sand dunes situated between the Coorong and the sea: they fly fast 
and often utter a soft note when upon the wing.” Mr. Edwin Ashby’s 
observations follow : “In February 1900 I saw a flock of this bird in the 
township of Elliston in the Great Bight : the only other occasion I remember 
seeing this species was in a wheat paddock near Murray Bridge, so as far as 
this state is concerned I think they cannot be considered common. In 
1886 considerable numbers of this parrot used to fly over the township of 
Ascot near Ballarat, Victoria, both morning and evening. I found out that 
they visited a paddock near by that was full of seeding thistles and the birds 
were feeding on the thistle seeds. I only saw them pick the seeds off the 
ground. The upper plumage so exactly accorded with the colour of the 
semi-dried grass that it was almost impossible to distinguish them except 
when they moved. I obtained several specimens, one a remarkably highly 
coloured male. As far as I could judge by their flight the birds roosted in 
a low range of hills a few miles to the North West.” 
Mr. Tom Carter has written me : “ Not uncommon about Broome Hill, 
and apparently rather a late breeder. Fledged young noted Dec. 11, 1908 and 
Dec. 2, 1912. One specimen only was noticed in the Mid-West. It was 
found dead on the ground at Point Cloates, March 31, 1900, and was in 
immature plumage.” 
Mr. J. W. Mellor states : “ I have seen them along the large red gum 
creeks in the North of South Australia, especially on the eastern slopes of the 
Flinders Range, where they take to the hollows in the boles of the large 
trees, and the nests are pretty well inaccessible. In a trip to Port Augusta 
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