THE LORIES AND LORIKEETS. 179 



being extended ; the nostrils are small, oval, and uncovered in 

 the distinct narrow cere ; the eyes are usually dark and bright, 

 but proportionately small ; the lores and the circle about 

 the eye is feathered, only round the eye there is a narrow 

 featherless rim ; the feet are short, powerful, with thick toes, 

 and much bent nails ; the wings are long and pointed ; the tail 

 is wedge-shaped, broadly graduated, wide at the base, the 

 feathers regularly decreasing in width and rounded at the point. 

 The sexes do not differ at all in plumage, and the young birds 

 but little ; the body is slim, and about the size of a sparrow 

 or jackdaw. 



They are natives of Australia, Polynesia, New Guinea, the 

 Moluccas, and Papua. They live gregariously, probably even in 

 the breeding season, but when this time is past they assemble in 

 exceedingly large flocks of the various species, and migrate or 

 take to flight as birds of passage. They fly rapidly and skilfully, 

 with deafening cries, alight upon the gum trees, and will not 

 be driven away even by shots, only hurrying from one tree to 

 another when alarmed. On account of the felling of the gum 

 trees as cultivation advances, and the constant pursuit they are 

 subjected to, they have already been greatly reduced in numbers, 

 and driven back into the bush, and have become so shy and 

 cautious as no longer to approach the settlements. On the 

 ground they have an odd sidelong jamp, but in trees they climb, 

 or rather creep, rapidly among the branches. According to the 

 observation of travellers, their food consists chiefly of the honey 

 of flowers, and in the case of the three smallest species this is 

 probably true ; the larger species feed principally on seeds, with 

 sweet fruit, as has been proved by those in captivity. They can 

 hardly do harm to the crops ; their life in freedom is otherwise 

 scarcely known. Of late several species have been imported 

 more frequently, inasmuch as they are caught by whole flocks 

 in nets, at certain times, or vyhen migrating, or at the drinking 

 places, (fee. The following species is a good representative 

 of those kinds which come under notice in this country, and 

 shall therefore be dealt with as fully as possible. 



N 2 



