PARROTS. 



361 



Apparently one species of this family was known to the ancients. Onesicrites, the 

 admiral of Alexander the Great, brought from Ceylon a green parrot with a red ring 

 around its neck. Some have regarded this as the form known to science as rlceornis 

 eupatrius, while Linne thought he recognized the ancient form in a species from Java, 

 which he therefore called P. alexandri. Now most people think that the common 

 ring-parrot of India, the Palceornis torqitatus, was the bird brought by Alexander's 

 sailors. Others more or less closely allied were brought to Greece and Rome from 





'-U-.;^S 

 FIG. 166. Palteornis torquatus, ring-parrot. 



Africa. These were the only parrots then known, and from their beauty, as well as 

 their docility and powers of speech, they were great favorites. 



The ring-parrot occurs both in India and Africa. In the former country it is one 

 of the most abundant of the order, not only in the forests, but even about towns and 

 villages. It forms a pest in some localities on account of its ravages in the fields and 

 gardens. It associates in large flocks, sometimes of thousands, and when these descend 

 on afield of grain, the amount they consume is of considerable account. It has a harsh 

 cry, and learns to repeat a few words, but is not nearly so good a talker as some of the 

 other species. 



