96 THE STORY OF THE BIRDS 



roots, grain, &c., and some species are more or 

 less insectivorous. As is well known, these birds 

 often hold their food with their feet. Many of 

 these birds are arboreal, but others frequent 

 herbage-covered plains and rocks. Their flight 

 is somewhat slow and laboured ; upon the 

 ground they walk with ease, and in the trees 

 climb about the branches, aided by their bill. 

 Their notes as a rule are harsh and discordant. 

 Parrots are monogamous, and nest in holes of 

 trees or rocks, or in the ground ; but a few forms 

 are said to make globular nests amongst the 

 grass. They make little or no nest as a rule, and 

 the eggs vary from one to a dozen in the various 

 species, the larger forms laying the fewest and 

 the smaller forms the greatest number. The 

 young are hatched naked, and remain in the 

 nest holes until fledged. 



Passing on from the Parrots we come to the 

 Cuculiformes or Cuckoos and Plantain-Eaters. 

 These may be divided into two very distinct 

 groups ; by some authorities raised to the dignity 

 of sub-orders, by others regarded as only of 

 family rank. The latter view will be taken 

 here. The Cuculiformes then will consist of 

 the Musophagida? or Plantain-Eaters, and the 

 Cuculidae or Cuckoos. The latter family may 



