458 SCANSOEES, OR CLIMBERS. 



which is thick, fleshy, and movable, is terminated by a cluster of 

 sinewy papillae, or by a cartilaginous gland. The tarsi are very 

 short, and the feet perfected to such a degree that they really 

 become hands, able to seize, hold, and retain small objects. Their 

 toes are supplied with strong and hooked claws, which make 

 these birds pre-eminently Climbers. With the exception of one 

 single species — the Loriets {Platycercina Vigorsia, Sw.) — which 

 have rather long tarsi and straight claws, enabling them to run 

 with some rapidity, the Parrots, on the contrary, walk with 

 difficulty. They drag along the ground with such trouble that 

 they rarely descend to it, and only under pressing circumstances. 

 Besides, they find all the necessaries of their existence on trees. 

 They are not more favoured with regard to their flight, and we 

 can understand that it should be so ; for, living in thick woods, 

 they only require to effect trifling changes of place, such as from 

 one tree to another. However, some species, especially the smaller, 

 are capable of a more prolonged and effective use of their wings. 

 According to Levaillant, some even emigrate, and travel hun- 

 dreds of miles every year ; but this is an exception. In general, 

 Parrots are sedentary, and willingly remain in localities without 

 a desire to leave. 



Sociable in their dispositions, they assemble in more or less 

 nimierous bands, and make the forests re-echo with their loud 

 cries. To some species it is such an imperative necessity to be 

 near each other and live in common, that they have received 

 from naturalists the name of Inseparables. At breeding-time each 

 couple isolate themselves for the purpose of reproduction. The 

 male and female evince the greatest attachment to each other. 

 The females deposit their eggs in the hollows of trees and in the 

 crevices of rocks. The j^oung birds are quite naked when hatched ; 

 it is not till the end of three months that they are completely 

 covered with feathers. The jDarent birds wait upon them with the 

 greatest solicitude, and become threatening when approached too 

 closely by intruders. 



Essentially frugivorous, Parrots prefer the fruits of the palm, 

 banana, and guava trees. They may be seen perched upon one 

 foot, using the other to bear the food to their beaks, and retain it 

 there till eaten. After they have extracted the kernel they free 



