198 THE SPEAKING PAnUOTS. 



shallow longitudinal furrow ; sides only slightly compressed, the 

 point bent sharply downwards and overhanging, with a small 

 indentation ; the lower mandible with broad rounded socket edge ; 

 the tongue thick, fleshy, with broad, blunt point ; the nostrils 

 small, uncovered, in a narrow cere ; eyes large and round, with a 

 power of dilating or contracting the pupil to an extraordinar}'' 

 extent with every varying sensation ; the lores and region round 

 the eye feathered ; the wings long and pointed ; flights obtusely 

 rounded at the end, rarely quite pointed ; the tail graduated, in 

 the shape of a wedge, the two centre feathers usually much 

 longer than the rest ; the feet short and stout ; the plumage 

 rather hard, without powdery down ; body strong, yet slim. 

 Size, varying from that of a thrush to a pigeon. Flight exceed- 

 ingly skilful and rapid, with quick strokes of the wing, hovering 

 when about to descend ; a waddling gait, yet not so inelegant as 

 that of its congeners. They climb rapidly and gracefully. 



They extend over a wide region, and are natives of Africa and 

 Asia ; one species being found even in both hemispheres, whereas 

 most of the others inhabit only a small circuit. Comparatively 

 few observations have been made as to their life in freedom ; 

 and here I have pleasure in drawing attention to the fact that 

 the process of breeding has been carried on in captivity, and 

 has given opportunities for studying the development of several 

 species. The Noble Parrakeets are said to live almost without 

 exception gregariously, different varieties, however, never being 

 intermixed. 



As regards nesting, they resemble the other parrots, in- 

 asmuch as they build their nests in the hollows of trees, but 

 some species use also holes in rocks or walls. The brood 

 is said to consist of two eggs, and each couple produces 

 several broods consecutively. They chiefly inhabit the plains 

 along the rivers, where thick forests grow, but are also found 

 in more open plains or hilly neighbourhoods, and several 

 species are reported to have been met with in the mountains 

 at a height of 11,000ft. Their food consists of all kinds of 

 seeds and fruits. After the breeding season they assemble 

 in greater or lesser numbers, and in their search for food 

 attack the crops of rice and maize. On this account an exter- 

 minating war is waged against them, and they therefore dis- 

 play great craftiness and caution. They hide themselves most 

 cunningly, aided by their green plumage, in the dense tops of 

 the highest trees, remaining perfectly motionless till one after 



