121 
KEEN 
ROUND 
OT. 
Psittams pezophorus. 
Synonym: Pezophorus fm-mosus, Gld. German: Der Erdsittich. 
French: La PerrucJie terrestre, ou ingambee. 
HE Ground Parrots form a gi'oup quite sui generis, and are very 
X little known out of tlieir native country, or rather countries, for 
they occur in New Zealand, as well as in Australia and Tasmania. 
In this country we have never seen a living example of any of the 
numerous species composing the genus, and no mention of any of them 
is made in Dr. Russes comprehensive Handboohj which is the more to 
be wondered at, that in those regions where they are found, they are 
far from uncommon, but being partially nocturnal in their habits, and 
moreover extremely shy, they are not so frequently seen as many of 
their really less abundant congeners. 
The species under consideration is of frequent occurrence in Tas- 
mania, and is also found in the southern parts of Australia: it is about 
the size of the Cockatiel, and is of a yellowish green colour, spotted 
and undulated with black : the tail is long and slender, the two central 
feathers are green marked with transverse bands of yellow, an arrange- 
ment which is reversed in the remaining tail feathers, which are yellow 
barred with green: just above the nostrils is a narrow band, or frontlet 
of deep scarlet: the legs are long and of an ash colour. 
It is said to make no nest, but to lay two white eggs on the bare 
ground, under the shelter of some log, or rock: a statement which we 
are unable to verify, or disprove from personal knowledge, but which 
appears, nevertheless, to be its usual custom. 
It is evident from the configuration of the bird, that its habits are 
chiefly terrestrial, and it is said not to perch in trees, and seldom to 
take to flight, but, even when pressed by dogs and hunters, to prefer 
trusting to its strong legs, with which it] runs very swiftly through 
the grass and underwood. 
