INTRODUCTION, 



the monograph of Dr. Otto Finsch (Leyden, 1867-68) stands 

 most conspicuous as a source of scientific knowledge. In 

 my before-mentioned larger work I have confined myself to 

 the researches of this, the most eminent of authors in this 

 department, and, as far as such information was necessary, I 

 have done the same here. 



Glancing, from this point of view, at the very many varieties 

 which now chiefly demand our attention, I must first state, as 

 a fact in my experience, that almost every species of parrot 

 produces individuals in which the gift of speech evinces itself. 

 We have talkers from the following kinds : True Parrots, or 

 Grey and Black Parrots (Psittacns, L.), Amazon Parrots (Chry- 

 sotis, Swns.), Noble Parrots {Eclectus, Wgl.), Long- winged 

 Parrots {Pionias, Wgl.), True Cockatoo (Plectolophus, Vgrs.), 

 Macaw Cockatoo {Microglossus, Gff.), Cockatiel {Callipsittacus, 

 Lss.), Sharp-tailed Lories or Lorikeets (Trichoglossus, Vgrs.), 

 Broad-tailed or True Lories {Bomicella, Wgl.), Macaws {Sittace, 

 Wgl.), Noble Parrakeets {Palceornis, Vgrs.), Wedge-tailed 

 Parrakeets (Conurus, Khl.), Thick-billed Parrakeets (Bolbo- 

 rhynchus, Bp.), iSlender-billed Parrakeets {Brotogerys, Vgrs.), 

 Flat-tailed Parrakeets {Platycercus, Vgrs.), Singing Parrakeet, 

 or Undulated Parrakeet {Melopsittacus, Gld.). Up to the 

 present, no speakers have been discovered among the hereafter- 

 mentioned species : Mascai^enus, Lss. ; Dasyptilus, Wgl. ; Psitta- 

 cula, Khl. ; Nasiterna, Wgl. ; Stringops, Gr. ; CoryUis, Fnsch. ; 

 Psittacella, Schl. ; Euphema, Wgl. ; Pezoporus, 111. But, as has 

 been said, we must on no account determine, or even suppose, 

 that there are no speakers at all among the ranks of the last- 

 named parrots; for as the Undulated Parrakeet made itself 

 known all at once as a talker, so may we as reasonably expect 

 this to take place with some species or other of the Euphema, 

 Psittacula, CoryUis, &c. 



A physical description of parrots, concerning the structure of 

 the body, and the nature of all the organs, would here be 

 superfluous ; while, of course, the plumage and its colours in 

 each species must be stated for the purposes of deter- 

 mination and recognition. I would, however, on no account 

 omit a detailed description of the tongue — the most 

 characteristic physical feature of the speaking bird. '' As a 

 rule, it appears thick, fleshy, blunt, with a point formed like 

 an acorn, but more frequently covered on the foremost end 

 with countless threadlike warts, which consist of somewhat 



