A Lorikeet nearly related to the preceding, called after Swainson
(_Psitteuteles Swainsonii_), has been described by Gould as
follows:--"The South Australian woods of gum-trees, extending to
Moreton's Bay and Van Dieman's Land, shelter large flocks of Swainson's
Lorikeets, the flowers of these forests furnishing them with a plentiful
supply of nectar and pollen; such trees as have newly blossomed being
preferred to any others by these dainty little creatures. The appearance
of a forest of Eucalypti covered with blossoms, upon which various
species of Parrots and Honey-birds are feeding, baffles all description;
three or four different kinds may often be seen busily combining to rob
the same branch; nor is it easier to imagine the thousands of tones and
cries uttered by a flock when rising into the air, preparatory to leaving
one tree for another." These swarms must be seen and heard if we would
form any adequate idea of them. During a morning's walk in the woods,
near the Hunter river, Gould came upon an enormous gum-tree, about 200
feet high, in full bloom, upon which hundreds were perched in the utmost
harmony; he killed specimens of all the four species of Lorikeet found in
that part of the country upon one bough.
[Illustration: THE DAPPLED LORIKEET (_Psitteuteles versicolor_).]
The flight of these Lorikeets is very powerful, and as straight as that
of an arrow: they rise with surprising rapidity, dart through the air
uttering noisy cries, and climb the trees with much adroitness, more in
the manner of a Titmouse than of a Parrot. After sunrise they are so
busily occupied in imbibing the nectar from the flowers, that they can
scarcely be frightened from their perch, and Gould found that the firing
of a gun had no other result than a loud scream, or merely caused some
of the birds to quit the branch that had been aimed at, and settle on
another. So successful are they in their search for nectar, that it often
streams from the mouths of those that have been shot if they are held up
by the feet.
Little has been learnt by travellers of the incubation of this species,
but it would seem that the flocks do not divide in the breeding season;
as many couples build upon one tree as can find room upon it. The nest
is made in the holes of trees during the month of October, and contains
from two to four white round eggs. In certain parts of Australia the
Lorikeets are great favourites with the natives, who string their heads
into chains, with which they deck themselves as with garlands.