438 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
Parrakeet (Platyceccus eximius, Fig. 165), a native of Van Diemen’s 
Land and New South Wales. 
The Ground Parrakeet (Pezophorus formosus), which inhabits 
Australia, belongs to this group. ‘These birds form a curious excep- 
tion in the order of Climbers by their terrestrial habits. According 
to M. J. Verreaux, they never perch when pursued, but take refuge 
Fig. 166.—Swindern’s Love-birds. 
on the ground among the herbage. This pretty and highly interesting 
bird is frequently called by the colonists Pheasant—to its length of 
tail and highly game flavour this misnomer is doubtless attributable. 
~ Love-birds, of which Psittaculu Swinderniana (Fig. 166) is the 
rarest, are the smallest of this group ; their plumage varies in shades 
according to the climates. They are met with in America, Southern 
Africa, and in the islands of Oceania. 
Parrots, properly speaking, are distinguished from other groups 
