THE S.A. ORNITHOLOGIST 89

PSITTACINES OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND by LLOYD NIELSEN, Jandowae, Queensland.

Following Dr. Lendon's paper "The breasted species. It is the most common of Distribution of the Australian Psittacines," the lorikeets, and is relatively common S. Aust. Orn., 25 (1968), 3-17, the following along the creeks of the northern Darling notes, mainly from the Darling Downs of Downs which flow westward. When the south-eastern Queensland may be of interest. River Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) are My thanks to Cecil Cameron of Rockwood, flowering, the species becomes common and Chinchilla, for the use of his notes. breeds. This Iorikeet also follows the ripen­ ing of the berries of the Pepper Tree RAINBOW LORIKEET (Trichoglossus (Schinus molle) and feeds on the sticky haematodus). substance. coating the inner hard seeds. At Jandowae, this is a rare species, being At Lake Broadwater, which is surrounded seen on a few occasions only, over the past by a large expanse of River Gums, they eight years. During August and September breed prolifically during a good season, and of 1966, when there was an abundant food may be almost entirely absent in adverse supply, several pairs were seen regularly 15 seasons. In 1966, the nesting season com­ miles north-east of the town. They gave menced during the last week of May, when every indication of nesting, though I could the first eggs were noted, and continued not locate a nest. At Inverramsay, it is a through the winter and spring. The last common species, and when sorghum crops eggs were noted in mid-September. In 1967, begin to ripen in the autumn, this species a poor flowering season, no nests were locat­ flocks in thousands, becoming a pest. It ed, and only a few birds were present, associates while flocking on the crops with the Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (Trichoglossus At Inverramsay, the species is less com­ chlorolepidotus) and the Musk Lorikeet mon than it is on the northern Darling [Glossopsitta: concinna). At Rockwood, it is Downs (Jandowae-Chinchilla areas). Small a very rare visitor, this being the most numbers mingle with the flocks of Rainbow westerly record I can locate. and Musk Lorikeets, on the sorghum crops. It is the commonest lorikeet at Rockwood, SCALY-BREASTED LORIKEET feeding on eucalypt blossom when available, (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus). but seems to find plenty to eat among euca­ This Lorikeet penetrates further inland lypt leaves at other times, especially the than other Lorikeets, except perhaps for the Poplar Box (E. populnea), No doubt this Little Lorikeet (Glossopsitta pusiUa) which species occurs some distance west of Rock­ possibly extends as far west as the Scaly- wood. 90 THE S.A. ORNITHOLOGIST

MUSK LORIKEET The late E. A. R. Lord's listing of magni­ (Glossopsitta concinna). ficus from Murphys Creek (Emu 56: 110) At Inverramsay, it is a common species, is undoubtedly lathami. Murphys Creek lies flocks of up to several hundred individuals only a few miles east of Toowoomba, and being noted on sorghum. I have seen it at is situated in wet sclerophyll forest, similar Wallangarra, and at a point 17 miles south to that at Inverramsay, and Wallangarra, of Warwick. I have no records from Jan­ where, though occuring in small numbers, dowae, other than two probable records of lathami is not uncommon and a breeding high flying lorikeet flocks, which gave the species. indication of being Musk. I have never seen it on the Bunya Range, nor have I any YELLOW-TAILED BLACK COCKATOO records west of Inverramsay. (Calyptorynchus funereus). Occurs in small numbers in the wet sclero­ LITTLE LORIKEET (Glossopsitta pusilla). phyll forests at Inverramsay, where it is a This species is rather uncommon at Inver­ breeding species. I have records from ramsay, while at Jandowae, it is only seen in Taroom, Chinchilla, Kogan and Rockwood, transit, over the open plain areas, and is a while at Jandowae, I have a single record rare species along the Red Gum lined creeks. of a pair flying over the large expanse of I was surprised to find it common at Lake open plain, on January 8, 1963, in a south­ Broadwater, where it breeds in abundant sea­ westerly direction, during the late afternoon. sons. In 1966, almost every knot-hole had Cameron records it as not as common as a pair of birds in attendence, and many lathami at Rockwood, being usually found clutches of eggs were noted between July 9 along the Condamine River a few miles to and October 30. In 1967, only a few birds the north. He has a record of a large flock were present, and only one nesting pair was of approximately 120 birds feeding over an seen. Small flocks are seen throughout the area of 200 acres of Ironbark (Eucalyptus year at Rockwood, and without doubt, it sp.) forest. would extend some distance west WHITE COCKATOO (Cacatua galerita). RED-TAILED BLACK COCKATOO Rather uncommon at Inverramsay (Calyptorhynchus magnificus). although flocks sometimes feed on cultiva­ My only record is of a flock near Rock­ tion paddocks. A common species on the wood during December, 1960 and January, northern Darling Downs, where it breeds 1961. A shot bird from this flock was freely wherever suitable eucalypts are found. examined. There are skins in the Queens­ At Rockwood, with the spread of grain­ land Museum from Nangram, about 4 miles growing, it is increasing rapidly. west of Rockwood. However, Cameron has no record from Rockwood, during a long PINK COCKATOO (Cacatua leadbeateri). residence. A small flock feeding in company with GLOSSY BLACK COCKATOO White Cockatoos at Warra during May, 1962, constitutes my only record. (Calyptorynchus lathami). Present in somewhat small numbers at Inverramsay, in the wet sclerophyll forests, LITTLE CORELLA (Cacatua sanguinea). where it was found breeding. I have re­ A pair appeared for a short while on a corded it at Kogan, and at Chinchilla where creek south of Jandowae on September 9, a flock of 23 birds was seen on May 5, 1962, 1963, while on February 26, 1966, a flock and have seen family parties in the Lake of from 60 to 70 birds remained for a few Broadwater area in Casuarina forest. I have days. A shot bird from this flock was sub­ no record for the Bunya Range, nor for that sequently brought to me, suffering a broken matter, for any of the intervening country wing. It was released after several months east of Jandowae. Cameron records the whereupon it was not sighted again. A very species as a resident and breeder for Rock­ severe drought prevailed in the western wood. districts of Queensland during 1965. There is apparently some confusion as to I have a report from Kogan of a flock identity of the common red-tailed cockatoo of nine birds arriving in the winter of 1958, in the south-eastern portion of the state. and feeding on the remnants of a sorghum THE S.A. ORNITHOLOGIST 91

crop for some time, again at a period when which held seven eggs, three of a small type, the west was suffering severe drought. and four of a large type. Several times Cameron. has a recent record of this when I inspected the hollow, both females species. A flock of approximately 20 birds emerged from the entrance. One of the was seen feeding in company with White females was paired with a male in immature Cockatoos on May 26, 1968, close to the plumage. A pair of birds-the mature town of Condamine. During 1968 the plumaged male and his mate were in pos­ western districts have been experiencing an session of the hollow as early as the latter excellent season. part of July. The second pair did not appear until September, and over the next few GALAH (Cacatua roseicapilla). weeks, the fully plumaged bird made a vain Numerous in the grain areas of the Darling attempt to drive the second pair away. The Downs, breeding in the River Gums along floor of the nesting chamber was eight feet the creeks, eggs appearing in the first week above outside ground level, with the entrance in August in normal seasons. At Inver­ at approximately 35 feet through a large ramsay, it is uncommon. dead limb. Wheat harvesting commitments prevented further inspection of this interest­ COCKATIEL (Nymphicus hollandicus). ing phenomenon. Abundant, and at times a pest when millet A third pair was in possession of a hollow and sorghum are ripening. Increasing 120 yards off, and a small inspection hole rapidly with the spread of grain-growing. was cut into this, mainly to gain some con­ Rather uncommon at Inverramsay, despite firmation of the authenticity of the double the fact that sorghum was grown freely. The clutch in the former hollow. It contained species seems to favour open plain, whereas four well incubated eggs. The floor of this Inverramsay is situated in mountainous nesting cavity was three feet above outside country, in the foothills of the Great Divid­ ground level, and the entrance at approxim­ ing Range. ately 40 feet through a hole in the trunk, RED-WINGED PARROT from where a limb had broken. Both nests (Aprosmictus erythropterus). were in Spotted Gums. A common species in the dry sclerophyll I have other records for Kogan and Lake about Chinchilla and Rockwood. Un­ Broadwater, where, in the latter area at common about Jandowae and very rare in least, it is a rare visitor. Cameron has re­ the dry sclerophyll forest to the. east of the corded it as far west as Condamine, and town. It tends to avoid Poplar Box forests records it as breeding at Burncluith, north about Jandowae and Dalby, though few are of Chinchilla. One or two are seen each left standing. At Lake Broadwater, it is a year at Rockwood. common species, there being large areas of dry sclerophyll similar to that about Chin­ CRIMSON ROSELLA chilla, still standing in the area. In this (Platycercus elegans). area of Queensland its distribution may be Confined to the ranges about Inverramsay, dependant on the distribution of a type of and the Bunya Range, and occurring com­ dry sclerophyll forest, Belar Casuarina cris­ monly in the intervening highland areas. In taia) being one of the dominant species, as December, 1962, Cameron recorded a bird distinct from Brigalow/Belar scrub. at Rockwood which agreed in every way with P. elegans jlaueolus. Soon afterwards KING PARROT (Aprosmictus scapularis). it mated with a Pale-headed Rosella (P. Reasonable numbers on the Bunya Range adscitus), and was often seen inspecting and at Iriverramsay. Odd pairs are scattered hollow limbs. However no nesting took through small pockets of Spotted Gum place, and it disappeared about May, 1963, (Eucalyptus maculata) forest to the east and after being seen almost daily. Possibly this north of Jandowae. In one of these pockets, was an aviary escapee. three pairs were found breeding during October, 1967. Two females were seen en­ PALE-HEADED ROSELLA tering one hollow, whereupon I cut a small (Platycercus adscitus). inspection hole in the tree. Surprisingly, Abundant throughout most areas of the both birds had laid in the same depression, Darling Downs. I have found it to occur in 92 THE S.A. ORNITHOLOGIST

reasonable numbers, close to the range, to as months, after which both birds disappeared. far south as East Greenmount. Undoubtedly No attempt at nesting was seen. it extends through the western Darling Downs into New South Wales. RED-BACKED PARROT (Psephotus haematonotus). EASTERN ROSELLA A common species at Inverramsay and (Platycercus eximius). north to the East Greenmount area. North This is the common rosella at Inverramsay, from there, numbers decline fairly rapidly. from where adscitus was never recorded. I have records from the Oakey and Too­ There appears to be no overlap in range woomba areas. In the Jandowae-Dalby unless it occurs between East Greenmount areas, it is becoming more frequent, though and Inverramsay, a distance of 20 miles. by no means a common species. Small However there was quite an amount of va­ flocks are sometimes seen in the Coolibah riation in eximius at Inverramsay when I (Eucalyptus sp.) ridge country east of Jim­ was living there nine years ago, mainly in bour during the winter months. The only the coloration of the head, which varied breeding noticed has been of several pairs from the normal red to different shades of on the outskirts of Dalby. It seems to be yellow. This occurred to such an extent absent from other areas about Jandowae­ that pure red-headed birds were rare. Jimbour-Dalby in the spring and summer. A few miles south of Warwick, and at Further west Cameron has recorded it at Stanthorpe, the flocks which came under Condamine and from there, southward my notice showed typical red heads. through Meandarra, where it becomes more I have never recorded variation in adscitus, common. He has no record east of Con­ which might be attributed to interbreeding damine. with eximius, unless it occured between Inverramsay and East Greenmount. MULGA PARROT (Psephotus va.rius). My only record is of several pairs 20 miles I have no record of eximius north of Inver­ north-west of Eulo in south-western Queens­ ramsay, nor west of the district. I would land. Cameron has recorded it as far east suspect that adscitus occurs in the drier as Westmar. country west of Allora. A single bird (eximius) has been recently reported to me BLUE BONNET from Lake Broadwater, but I am inclined to (Northiella haematogaster). think this is an aviary escapee from the Cameron says of this species, "Appears to nearby town of Dalby where there are a be expanding eastward, which is surprising. large number of aviculturists. One pair is known one mile from Con­ Despite considerable time spent about the damine, and it becomes progressively more Toowoomba area, I have never seen the numerous further west." species there. The late E. A. R. Lord during a residence of about 50 years in the nearby TURQUOISE PARROT district of Murphys Creek had no record. It (Neophema pulchella). seems likely that records from Toowoomba, A pair and a single bird have been re­ and also Cameron's from Biddeston, roughly corded at Rockwood, our only records from 15 miles west of the city, ("single birds­ southern Queensland. seen a number of times"; over a long period), are attributable to aviary escapees. BOURKE PARROT (Neophema bourkii). Recently, an aviculturist, and a specialist The Toowoomba Field Naturalist Club has on the Neophema group, told me of an records of eximius from the Stanthorpe­ occurrence of a flock of probably a dozen Warwick districts, Beaudesert, and Too­ birds at Dirranbandi, several years ago. The woomba, and for adscitus from Heifer Creek, flock was seen only once during several Millmerran, Cecil Plains, Helidon, and months spent in the district. . numerous localities on the north-eastern and western Darling Downs. SWIFT PARROT (Lathamus discolor). I have a record of a paired eximius and Cameron has records of small flocks at elegans from Inverramsay. Both were seen Rockwood over a period of a few months in almost daily, flying together, for several 1964. THE S.A. ORNITHOLOGIST 93

BUDGERYGAH (Melopsittacus undulatus). while at Rockwood, there were more about Rare on the Darling Downs. I have than for many years. Some records at least, records of four small flocks only, staying no from the Darling Downs, coincide with more than a few days. During the early abundant seasons in the west of the State part of the winter of 1968, several sightings rather than adverse conditions. of small flocks have been reported to me,