THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
and the MacDonnell Ranges and I also saw them west in the Musgrave 
Ranges. They congregate in great flocks in the interior and visit the water- 
holes morning and evening. I have seen these birds come in to the only water 
for many miles to the west of Port Augusta in such numbers that they 
darkened the sky. They were very common on the Adelaide Plains once, 
and I have seen them nesting at the Reed Beds in numbers, but it is now 
many years since a bird was seen here. They nest in a hollow spout and 
lay from three to five, and I have known six eggs, on the bare wood. Their 
food consists of many kinds of grass seeds. They have a pleasing little 
warbling note when at rest. Many birds will cuddle up to one another on a 
dry bough, and run their bills along each other’s feathers of the face and head, 
appearing as if kissing one another, which gives rise to their being called 
“ Love Birds.” Their flight is swift and straight and they go out back a 
long way from water to their feeding grounds. Many species of hawks prey 
upon vast numbers of these birds in the interior.” 
Mr. Tom Carter has written me : “ Melopsittacus undulatus. M.W. 
Aboriginal padda-moora. In wet seasons these little Parrots occurred in 
countless numbers in the north-west, where they breed at any time of the 
year, after good rains. Their eggs can then be found in the small hollows 
of almost every White Gum-tree, very often being laid in cavities less than 
six feet from the ground. Eggs were noted in various months, including 
August and March. The natives used to impale the young birds of this and 
other birds, on the point of a sharpened stick thrust down the nesting cavity, 
and then cook and eat them. Clutch of eggs usually five or six. They occur 
about Broome Hill, sometimes in considerable numbers, and breed there, 
but several years may pass without seeing any. Probably a dry season in 
the north sends them south. In November 1907 they were common at 
Broome Hill and breeding freely that month. They left in February, 1908. 
In April, 1912, a good many were also observed.” 
Mr. Sandland, from Balah, South Australia, wrote : “ Occurred in 1903-4 
literally in thousands ; scarce in 1905 ; a few in 1906 ; thick in 1907 ; rare 
in 1908. Arrive in August and leave in January, February.” 
Mr. J. W. Mellor has written : “ This pretty little ‘ Shell Parrot,’ as it 
is most commonly known, is widely distributed. They may be sometimes seen 
in certain Mallee country, in favourable seasons, occupying many hollows in the 
mallee scrub in close proximity to each other. They delight to go about in 
flocks, especially after nesting -season, when the young and old congregate together 
and feed on the grass seeds in the sparsely timbered country : they generally 
migrate in flocks and follow the coast line along, getting plenty of food at 
the back of the sand dunes to keep them in condition for their departure from 
478 
