174 



VERTEBRATA: AYES OR BIRDS. 



SUB-SECTION IV. 

 THE ORDER OF PSITTACI OR PARROTS. 



THE Parrots, Macaws, Cockatoos, and Paroquets, have a 

 stout, hooked, somewhat hawk-like bill, and the base cov- 

 ered with a soft skin called cere. Their tongue is thick 

 and fleshy, and their inferior larynx is complicated in its 

 structure. They vary in size from that of a sparrow to 



FIG. 206. 



Carolina Parrot, Conurus carolinensis, Kuhl. 



the size of common dove, or larger, and most of them are 

 adorned with varied and gorgeous plumage. 



