246 PARROTS. 



their gaiety even in captivity. They are held in great estimation 

 in many parts of the East. 



^ The True Lories [Lorius) arc found in the Moluccas, New Guinea, and 

 Borneo. Forstcr informs us that when angry, they make a noise hke a beaver 

 and cry with a shrill voice, at the same time inflating their throats. 



A second group {Eos) is found in the Indian Archipelago and New Guinea. 

 These birds are remarkable for the gay colours of their plumage; they prin- 

 cipally subsist on soft fruits that grow in the forests. 



The members of a third division {Coriphiliis) inh;-.bit the islands of the 

 South Pacific Ocean, where they live principally on the fruits of the banana. 

 They have a hissing and whistling voice, and usually build their nests among 

 the highest leaves of the cocoa-nut palm. 



The type of this sub-family is — 



The Blue-striped Lory {Eos cyanostriata). 



Sub-Family IV. 

 THE TRUE PARROTS. PSITTACINyE. 



General Characteristics.— Bill more or less large, broad at base, and the sides 

 compressed, with the cuhnen much arched to the tip, which is acute and prolonged, 

 the lateral margins dentated or festooned ; the nostrils basal, lateral, and rounded ; 

 the wings more or less long and pointed ; the tail usually short and squared ; the 

 tarsi short and covered with small scales ; the toes moderate. 



The true Parrots are natives of the continent of Africa and of 

 the warmer parts of South America. They inhabit forests, and 

 are found on clusters of trees, especially those that grow in the 

 neighbourhood of rivers : to these they resort for protection from 

 the scorching heat of the sun, and as roosting-places during the 

 night. On the first appearance of dawn, these birds are in the 

 Ijabit of assembling from their nocturnal retreats in vast flocks, 

 and perching on dead trees, where they may be observed preen- 

 ing their feathers in the early rays of the sun, as if to dry them 

 from the dew of the night. They then separate into small parties, 

 and scatter themselves in search of their food, which consists 

 chiefly of various fruits : they sometim.es commit great destruc- 

 tion among the orange plantations. After having satisfied their 

 hunger, they invariably proceed to the banks of the rivers to bathe, 

 until the heat of the day drives them to seek the thick foliage of 

 the trees, where they enjoy the refreshing coolness of the shade, 



