438 GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 



aud insects. They seek the nests of other birds, and devour their 

 eggs and recently-hatched young. Wlien they obtain then- prey, 

 they toss it into tlie air, and, catching it as it falls, swallow it whole. 

 The Parrots (Psittacus)haye a large, hard, and solid beak, with the 

 upper mandible arched and strongly hooked. They climb trees by 

 the aid both of then- beak and feet ; their tongue is fleshy and round, 

 and their toes short and strong. Tliey readily become familiar, 

 and some species can be tauglit to imitate the human voice. The 

 plumage of Parrots varies in colour ; it is generally remarkable for 



HEAD OF MACAW. 



its clear and vivid tints; frequently green predominates, while in 

 certain si3ecies red is the prevailing colour. Many of these birds 

 possess a wonderful degree of intelligence ; they learn to talk, re- 

 member tunes, and are very susceptible of education, Tiiey convey 

 their food to the beak with' their claws ; they all eat fruit, but feed 

 likewise on buds, tender bark, roots, and the sweet juices of plants. 



To this family belong the 3[acaivs, the Paroquets, the True Parrots 

 and the Cockatoos. 



Order of Gallinaceous* Birds. 



The Gallinaceous Birds are terrestrial. They 

 have a short or moderately long beak, which is 

 vaulted above. Their body is heavy, and their wings 

 generally short. They all live upon grain, and are 

 furnished with a very strong muscular gizzard ; they 



* Gallus, a cock ; Gallina, a hen. Barn-door Fowls being taken 

 as the type of the order. 



