684 . PAMPRODACTYLZ—PARROT 
with the PreryGoIDs, and rest by articulating facets on the ventral 
side of the sphenoidal rostrum of the SkuLL. They have consider- 
able taxonomic importance. 
PAMPRODACTYLA, Dr. Murie’s name (Ibis, 1873, p. 190, 
note) for the group consisting of the Coliidw (MoUSE-BIRD). 
PANCREAS, a conglomeration of glands, forming one or more 
lobes, and placed between the two branches of the duodenal loop 
(DIGESTIVE SYSTEM, pages 141-143). Its secretion, the Pancreatic 
Juice, contains a ferment important for digestion and enters the 
duodenum through from one to three short ducts, which in most 
birds open into ‘its ascending branch between the hepato-enteric and 
cystico-enteric ducts. The size and position of the Pancreas are 
very variable and of little general interest. 
PARADISE-BIRD, see Brrp-oF-PARADISE; -DUCK, see SHELD- 
DRAKE. 
PARAKEET, variously spelt, see PARROT. 
PARAPTERON, Sundevyall’s name for the row or rows of 
feathers commonly known as upper wing-coverts. 
PARDALOTE, see DIAMOND-BIRD. 
PARRA, see JACANA. 
PARROT, according to Prof. Skeat (Hiym. Dict. p. 422), from 
the French Perrot or Pierrot, a proper name and the diminutive of 
Pierre, the name given generally to a large and very natural group 
of Birds, which for more than a score of centuries have attracted 
attention, not only from their gaudy plumage, but, at first and 
chiefly it would seem, from the readiness with which many of them 
learn to imitate the sounds they hear, repeating the words and even 
phrases of human speech with a fidelity that is often astonishing. 
It is said that no representation of any Parrot appears in Egyptian 
art, nor does any reference to a bird of the kind occur in the Bible, 
whence it has been concluded that neither the painters nor the writers 
1 «Parakeet ” (in Shakespear, 1 Hen. IV. ii. 3, 88, ‘‘Paraquito”’) is said 
by the same authority to be from the Spanish Periquito or Perroqueto, a small 
Parrot, diminutive of Perico, a Parrot, which again may be a diminutive from 
Pedro, the proper name. Parakeet (spelt in various ways in English) is usually 
applied to the smaller kinds of Parrots, especially those which have long tails, 
not as Perroquet in French, which is used as a general term for all Parrots, 
Perruche, or sometimes Perriche, being the ordinary name for what we call 
Parakeet. The old English ‘‘ Porprnsay” and the old French Papegaut have 
almost passed out of use, but the German Papaget and Italian Papagaio still 
continue in vogue. Some trace these names to the Arabic Babaghd ; but others 
think that word a corruption of the Spanish Papagayo. The Anglo-Saxon name 
of the Parret, a river in Somerset, is Pedreda or Pedrida, which at first sight looks 
as if it had to do with the proper name, Petrus ; but Prof. Skeat believes there is 
no connexion between them—the latter portion of the word being rid, a stream. 
