PARROTS OF THE TREE-TOPS AND OPEN SPACES 
151 
3. Elegant Parrot Neophema elegans Gould 
el'-e-gans —L., elegans, handsome. 
Distribution. —New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and 
Western Australia. 
Notes .—Also called Grass-parrot and Elegant Grass-parrot. Usually 
in pairs or small flocks, frequenting the grass-lands, often out on the 
plains away from trees, barren sandy belts bordering the coast, and sparsely 
timbered areas. It is nomadic in habits and generally very shy. When 
flushed, it flies in a peculiar zigzag manner, sometimes alighting on the 
ground within a short distance, but more frequently ascending to a great 
altitude and disappearing from sight. Food: seeds of grasses and herb¬ 
aceous plants. 
Nest .—In a hole in a branch of a tree. 
Eggs— Four or five, pure white. Breeding-season: August to 
October. 
4. Rock Parrot Neophema petrophila Gould 
pet-roph'-il-o—Gk, petros, rock; Gk, philos J fond of. 
Distribution .—Coasts of South Australia and Western Australia. 
Notes .—Also called Rock Parakeet. Usually in pairs or small flocks, 
chiefly frequenting the islands off the coast, and swampy situations of the 
coastal areas. Its flight is swift and erratic; at times it mounts to a great 
height in the air. Strangely enough, it appears to select the most exposed 
and Weak situations possible in which to dwell and breed. Food : seeds of 
grasses and herbaceous plants. A favourite food is the seed of a species 
of Mesembryanthemum, common on most islands off the south-western 
coast. 
Nest .—In a hole in a cliff or in a cavity under a rock. 
Dggs .—Four or five, pure white. Breeding-season: September to 
December. 
5. Bourke Parrot Neophema bourki Gould 
bourki —Bourke, New South Wales. 
Distribution .—Interior of Queensland, western New South Wales, 
Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and central Australia. 
Notes .—Also called Bourke’s Grass-parrot, Night Parrot, and Pink- 
bellied Parrot. Usually in pairs or small flocks, frequenting thick acacia 
scrubs. It passes most of its time on the ground searching for the seeds 
of various grasses, herbaceous plants, and acacia trees, which constitute 
its food. It also has the peculiar habit of visiting the watering places 
after dark or before dawn. 
Nest. In a hollow limb or hole in a tree. 
Dggs .—Four or five, pure white. 
October. 
Breeding-season: August to 
