The GROUND PARRAKEET (_Pezoporinus formosus_) reminds us in many
particulars of the Owl-Parrot, or Kakapo; its plumage is of similar
colour, and its habits resemble those of that bird in many respects. The
length of the Ground Parrakeet is about thirteen inches, the stretch
of wing somewhat less; the plumage is dark green, striped with a still
darker shade of the same colour; that of the upper side is dark grass
green, each feather irregularly striped with black and yellow; upon
the head and neck there are black lines. The neck and breast are pale
yellowish green; the belly and under covers of the wings a beautiful
yellowish green, with numerous curved black stripes; the brow is scarlet;
the quill-feathers green on the outer web, and on the inner dark brown,
spotted with pale yellow. The four middle tail-feathers are green,
marked with yellow; the side tail-feathers, on the contrary, yellow,
spotted with dark green; the eyes are dark brown, with delicate light
blue circles; the feet and tarsi blueish flesh colour. Gould informs us
that the Ground Parrakeet is spread over all parts of South Australia,
including Van Dieman's Land; in the northern latitudes of that continent
it has never been observed. This bird lives almost exclusively on the
ground, and is seldom seen among the branches of trees. Barren sandy
districts, abounding in low grass and weeds, or moors covered with
rushes, constitute its favourite haunts; there it lives a retired life,
either alone or in pairs, and is, therefore, almost impossible to find
without the assistance of a dog; it can run among the grass with
great rapidity and persistency, or lie close to the ground, like a hen
or a woodcock, in the hope of being overlooked, and when flushed will
rise and fly quickly over the ground, making all kinds of zig-zags in
the air, like a snipe, then fall again, and run hurriedly on. The eggs,
which are white, are laid on the bare ground, and both parents assist
in their incubation. The young assume the plumage of the adult in the
spring, and separate from their parents as soon as they are old enough to
provide for themselves. The flesh of the Ground Parrakeet is considered
very excellent; it is more tender than that of a snipe, and in flavour
not unlike that of the quail. The example figured in our coloured
illustration (Plate II.) is the _Pezoporinus cornutus_, which differs
somewhat from the preceding, especially in having two beautiful horn-like
appendages to the head.
[Illustration: THE GROUND PARRAKEET ____ PEZOPORINUS (_Life size_)]