Philip Veerman wrote:
"Yes indeed, crimson rosellas do this (investigating hollows in brickwork or
drain pipes in buildings) often."
And a few years ago Yellow Rosellas (which I understand are a sub species of
Crimson Rosellas, or were last time I looked) raised a brood in a brickwork
cavity in Wagga's main street, quite close to the river. In fact I've never
seen them far from far from a rivers. I took particular interest in this as
Yellow Rosellas were one of the first species I can remember watching
regularly, from age 7. Back then it seemed that every time I asked anyone
what these birds were called I received a different answer including: Bidgee
Smokers, Blue Bonnets, Blue Bennetts(!?) or Green Leeks, and one venerable
old bushman who seemed to know his birds, inevitably referred to them as
"those dopey, deaf things." No, I don't know why he attributed such
impairments to Yellow Rosellas. They were, however, inveterate raiders of
fruit trees and back in the "good old days" many were shot for their
indiscretions. I've seen a shooter place his foot on a recently fallen bird,
push up and down causing the carcass to "squeak" thus causing others to come
quite close and sit giving distress calls until they also fell to the gun.
I've read that the extinct Carolina Parakeet fell victim to the same ploy.
John Layton.
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