90 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



Nest. — Usually none, a hole being dug out in a tree 

 or bank, or an already existing one taken ad- 

 vantage of. 



A few species of Love-birds (Agapornis) line the 

 nest with shreds of bark, and one, the Quaker 

 Parrakeet [Myiopsittacus monachus) makes com- 

 munistic nests of twigs, inhabited by several 

 pairs, each of- which has its own apartment. 



Eggs. — ^Two or more ; white, glossy, and unspotted. 



Incubation. — Sixteen days (Budgerigar) to twenty-five 

 days (Blue-and-yellow Macaw). 



Courtship. — Demonstrative, the tail being usually 

 spread, but not raised, and the wings slightly 

 opened ; but the attitudes vary ; the Cockatoos 

 raise the wings and lower the head with erected 

 crest. 



Food. — Mainly vegetable, and procured in trees ; 

 seeds, fruit, buds, and honey and pollen being eaten. 

 Many seed-eaters feed on the ground on grass- 

 seed, some on roots. Insects, chiefly wood-boring 

 grubs, seem to be eaten a good deal. 



Gait. — Usually an awkward waddle, few species 

 coming much to the ground ; but the Lories hop 

 when there. The species which habitually feed on 

 the ground, like some Cockatoos and Parrakeets, 

 run about as actively as pigeons. In the boughs all 

 use their beaks in climbing about from place to 

 place. 



Flight. — This varies a great deal, in the rapidity of 

 the wing-strokes, which are usually quick, and in 

 the speed, which is usually considerable. They 

 sail at times, but not very far. One species, the 

 Owl Parrot, of New Zealand, is flightless. The 

 feet and neck are extended in flight. 



Note. — Usually a scream, sometimes very harsh ; 

 but many have quite mellow voices. In captivity 

 many, if not most species, display a great imitative 



