PSITTACI: PARROTS. 495 
characters afforded Ly the carotid arteries and ambiens muscle. I. PALZORNITHIDA: Carotids 
two (except in Cacatua), the left normal, and no ambiens. II. Psrrracrpas: Carotids two, 
the left superficial, the ambiens present in one series of genera, abseut in others. In the sub- 
family (1) Palcornithine, there is no further deviation ; in (2) Cacatuine, besides the lack of 
a right carotid in Cacatua itself, the orbital rig is completely ossified, and develops a bony 
process bridging in the temporal fossa; in (3) Stringopime, which includes the curious flightless 
ground Parrot or owl Parrot of New Zealand (Stringops habroptilus), the furculum and sternal 
keel are deficient or defective. Psittacide include (4) the Arine, in which the ambiens muscle 
| 
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\ (36.Iiaz K TANRNARGE 
Fig. 347. — Carolina Parroquet, } nat. size. (From Brelim, after Audubon.) 
is present ; (5) Pyrrhurine, in which it is absent, without further modification; (6) Platy- 
cercine, no ambiens and no fureulum; (7) Chrysotine, no ambiens, no furculum, and no oil- 
gland. There are thus 7 subfamilies of 2 families of Psittaci. 
‘‘ Parrots abound in all tropical countries, but, except in Australia and New Zealand, 
rarely extend into the temperate zone. The Indian and Atthiopian regions are poor in parrots, 
while the Australian is the richest, containing many genera and even whole faiilies peculiar 
to it.” (Newron.) The highest authority, Frvscu, recognizes 354 species as well deter- 
mined, distributing them in 26 genera; 142 are American, 23 African, and 18 Asiatic; the 
Moluceas and New Guinea have 83, Australia 59, and Polynesia 29. 
