BETCHERRYGAH. 
December, I found myself surrounded by numbers, breeding in all the 
hollow spouts of the large Eucalpyti bordering the Mokai ; and on crossing 
the plains between that river and the Peel, in the direction of the Turi 
Mountain, I saw them in flocks and thousands. Their flight is remarkably 
straight and rapid, and is generally accompanied by a screeching noise. 
During the heat of the day, when flocks of them are sitting motionless 
among the leaves of the gumtrees, they are with difficulty detected. The 
breeding-season is at its height in December, and by the end of the month 
the young are generally capable of providing for themselves. ... I believe I 
was one of the first who introduced living examples to this country, having 
succeeded in bringing home several on my return in 1840.” 
Mr. T. P. Austin has written me : “ It is a migratory species : some 
seasons it arrives here in great numbers, usually in the late winter, or early 
part of the spring ; then again, not a single bird will be seen for many years, 
much depends upon the seasons. It is a lovely sight to see a large flock of 
these beautiful little Parrakeets flying in the evening sunset, flashing and 
circling in all directions, within a few feet of the ground, as they turn their 
breasts, then their backs towards the observer, in much the same manner as 
some of the Waders. Never have I known them to breed in this district in 
very great numbers, but those that I have noticed resort to very small holes 
in trees and they are not particular as to height, as I have seen them nesting 
from five to fifty feet from the ground, and I have never seen more than four 
eggs or young to a clutch. Sometimes several pairs will breed in the same tree. 
I have known them to use such small holes that there was not sufficient room 
for their young, and consequently many of them die.” 
Mr. Edwin Ashby has noted : “ These charming little birds spend a few 
weeks in this district, Blackwood, South Australia, after the breeding season 
is past and then pass on probably to the interior. Some years ago I saw a 
pair that were evidently breeding at Brighton, twelve miles south of Adelaide, 
and in September I have seen them breeding in thousands in the Mafl.ee back 
from Schuetze’s Landing on the River Murray. They were running in and 
out of hollows in the Mallee, warbling and chattering in the most delightful 
fashion. On one occasion I counted thirteen feeding within a few yards of 
myself, quite fearlessly : they were feeding on the grass seeds which were 
unshed : their method was to climb ‘ hand over hand ’ up the grass stems, which 
of course bent over with their weight but did not bend to the ground, showing 
how light their weight must be : they were most nimble in picking out the 
seeds from the swaying grass stalks.” 
Captain S. A. White’s notes read : “ This bird is found practically all 
over South Australia. I have met with them in flocks between Oodnadatta 
VOL. VI. 
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