LORIES. 



'45 



consist principally in the comparative weakness of the bill, afld 

 the peculiar structure of the tongue, which, instead of terminating 

 in a soft fleshy cushion as in the true parrots, is furnished with, 

 elongated papillae, the latter sometimes even forming a sort of 



'^rpi^ 



V - 



Fig. 127.— The Blue-striped Lory {Eos cyaiwsiriaia). 



brush at the extremity of the organ. These birds live partly on 

 pulpy fruits, and partly upon the sweet juices of flowers : in col- 

 lecting the latter, the papillae of the tongue come into use. They 

 are all remarkable for their brilliant colours and for the softness 

 of their plumage. They are lively, very active, and do not lose 



