154 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Notes. —Also called Green Keet and Green Leek. Usually in flocks, 
frequenting flowering eucalypts and other blossom or fruit-bearing trees. 
It is nomadic in habits, and is often in the company of other species of 
Lorikeets. It is considered a pest, as it does considerable damage in 
orchards. Food: nectar, native and cultivated fruits, and berries. 
Netst .—In a hollow limb or hole in a tree. 
Eggs. —Usually two, white. Breeding-season: August to December. 
13. Varied Lorikeet Psitteuteles versicolor Lear 
Psitt-eu-tel-es— Gk, psitte, parrot; Gk, euteles , paltry: ver'-si-col-or— L., 
versicolor, different coloured. 
Distribution. —Tropical northern Australia. 
Notes .—Usually in flocks, frequenting the flowering eucalypts and 
melaleucas. It appears to be nomadic in habits, and resembles the Musk 
Lorikeet in its flight and call-notes. Food: nectar and flowers. 
Nest. —In a hollow or hole in a tree. 
Eggs. —Usually two, white. Breeding-season: May to January. 
14. Scaly-breasted Lorikeet Trichoglossns chlorolepidotus Kuhl 
Trich-o-gloss-iis —Gk, trichos, hair; Gk, glossa, tongue: chlor-o-lep-id- 
o-tns —Gk, chloros, yellow-green; Gk, lepidotus, scaly. 
Distribution. —Northern and eastern Queensland and eastern New 
South Wales. 
Notes. —Usually in flocks, inhabiting open forest country and cul¬ 
tivated fields; it is generally observed among the flowering eucalypts. It is 
nomadic, and resembles the Musk and Little Lorikeets in habits. At 
times it does considerable damage in orchards. Food: nectar, native and 
cultivated fruits, and berries. 
Nest .—In a hollow limb or hole in a tree. 
Eggs. —Usually two, white. Breeding-season: May or June to 
January. 
15. Red-collared Lorikeet Trichoglossns nibritorquis Vigors and 
Horsfield 
ru-bri~tor-quis —L., ruber, red; L., torques, collar. 
Distribution. —North-western Australia, Northern Territory, and the 
Gulf of Carpentaria (northern Queensland). 
Notes. —Usually in flocks, frequenting the flowering eucalypts and 
other nectar-bearing trees. It is said to resemble the Rainbow Lorikeet 
in habits and economy. 
Nest. —In a hollow limb or hole in a tree. 
Eggs. —Usually two, white. Breeding-season: May to December. 
16. Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossns moluccanus Gmelin 
moluccanus —of the Molucca Islands. 
Distribution. —Eastern Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. 
Notes. —Also called Blue Mountain Parrot and Blue-bellied Lorikeet. 
