THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 89 



Form. — Bill very short, strongly hooked, with a cere 

 at the base ; feet with the shanks short or very 

 short, always covered with many small scales, 

 and four well-developed toes, the first and fourth 

 turned back, the second and third forward ; no 

 webs ; wings varying from short to long ; tail 

 short to very long. Head large ; neck short ; 

 body small. 



Plumage and Colouration. — Firm, and often powdery ; 

 colour very variable, usually brilliant ; the prevailing 



Head and foot of Parrot. 



colour is grass- or leaf-green, olive-green and brown 

 being rare. Grey, black, and white are found, also 

 red, yellow, blue, and purple. A metallic gloss is 

 hardly ever to be seen. No seasonal change ; 

 sexual differences comparatively rare. The young 

 usually resemble the adult female, but have darker 

 eyes ; but some have a distinct immature plumage. 

 Young. — Very helpless, naked at first, afterwards 

 sometimes clothed in fluffy down without markings ; 

 they are fed by the parents, placing their bills in 

 those of the latter. 



