362 ZOOLOGY. 



examples. The red-headed parrot of India, Palceornis alexandri (pi. 97, 

 fig. 4), and the Malacca parrot, P. malaccensis {pi. 97, fig. 3), are also 

 included in this group. 



Sub-fam. 2. AraincB, or Maccaws. Bill large, arched from the base to 

 the tip, which is prolonged and sharp ; wings moderate ; tail long, gradu- 

 ated, tip of each feather pointed. Size large ; colors gaudy. 



A sub-family of about seventy birds, comprising nearly all the American 

 parrots. The maccaws are large parrots, with very showy plumage, found 

 in the forests of South America, living principally on the fruits which 

 abound in such localities. Their notes, or rather screams, are represented 

 as being very harsh and disagreeable. The common blue and yellow 

 maccaw, Ara ararauna {pi. 98, fig. 2), the military maccaw, A. militaris 

 {pi. 98, fig. 3), and the great blue maccaw {A. hyacinthina), are frequently 

 to be seen living in menageries, and appear to be the most common species 

 of this sub-family. 



Many other parrots of South America, composing the genus Conurus, 

 belong here, some of which have very beautiful red and green plumage. 

 One species only visits the Atlantic States, which is the Carolina parrot 

 {C. carolinensis) . This bird is frequent in Louisiana and others of the 

 Southern States, and has occasionally been seen as far north as Illinois. 

 It is a very handsome species, with green and yellow plumage, and is gene- 

 rally observed in flocks, on the appearance of which in unusual localities 

 great curiosity is excited amongst the inhabitants. In some sections of the 

 country this parrot is eaten, and considered a great delicacy. 



Sub-fam. 3. Lorince, or Lories. Bill large, slender, arched from the 

 base to the tip, which is prolonged and acute ; wings moderate, sometimes 

 long, pointed ; tail long ; tarsi and feet short, strong. Size small. 



A small group of beautiful little parrots found only in India and the 

 islands of the Pacific ocean Little is known of them except that they live 

 in the banana and palm trees, in which they rear their young. Lorius 

 domicella {pi. 98, j^^. 4) and L. tricolor are frequently seen in collections. 

 An Australian group belongs here, of which the beautiful green parrot, 

 Platycercus viridis {pi. 98, fig. 1), is a good example. 



Subfa??i. 4. PsittacincB, or typical Parrots. Bill generally large, broad 

 at base, compressed, arched, lateral margins dentated or festooned ; wings 

 long, pointed ; tail generally short ; tarsi and feet short and strong. Size 

 various ; colors usually gay. 



These parrots are found in all the warmer regions of the globe. They 

 mostly inhabit the forests, where they live in pairs or small flocks, climbing 

 among the upper branches of the trees on the fruits of which they live. 

 Some species, it is said, sleep suspended from the branch of a tree with 

 their heads downwards. Nearly all parrots are migratory, and move from 

 place to place in flocks at immense heights in the air. They feed their 

 young by disgorgement like the pigeons. 



Nearly all the talking parrots belong here, of which one of the best is 

 the grey African parrot {Psittacus erythacus), a plain but very intelligent 

 species, common in Liberia and other countries of Western Africa. The 

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