SCANSORES, OR CLIMBING BIRDS. 



PAEEOTS. 



A LAKGE group of birds is arranged by naturalists under the title of Scansoees, or 

 Climbing Birds, and may be recognised by the structure of their feet. Two toes are 

 directed forward and the other two backward, so that the bird is able to take a very 

 powerful hold of the substance on whicli it is sitting, and enables some species, as the 

 woodpeckers, to run nimbly up tree-trunks and to hold themselves tightly on the bark 

 while they hammer away with their beaks, and other species, of which the Parrots 

 are familiar examfjles, to clasp the bough as with a hand. There is some little difficulty 

 in settling the exact limits of this group, so I have preferred to accept the arrangement 

 which has been sanctioned by the authorities of the British Museum. 



The general form of the Parrots is too well known to need description. All birds 

 lielonging to this large and splendid group can be recognised by the shape of their beaks, 

 which are large, and have the upper mandible extensively curved and hanging far over the 

 lower ; in some species the upper mandilde is of extraordinary length. The tongue is 

 short, thick, and fleshy, and the structure of this member aids the bird in no slight degree 

 in its singular jwvvers of articrdation. The wings and tail are generally long, and in 

 some species, such as the Macaws, the tail is of very great length, while in most of the 

 PaiTakeets it is longer than the body. 



The first sub-family of this group is composed of those birds which are called by the 

 title of Ground Parrakeets. In the generality of the Parrot tribe, the legs are short, but 

 in these birds they are of greater lengtli in order to enable them to run freely on the 

 ground. One of the most striking examples of this little group is the Pareakeet 

 Cockatoo of Australia. 



Although not clothed with the brilliant plumage that decorates so many of the Parrot 

 tribe, this bird is a remarkably pretty one, and is worthy of notice not only for the 

 curious crest with which its head is adorned, but for the grace and elegance of its form. 

 With the exception of the head, on which a little crimson and yellow are seen, the 

 plumage of the Parrakeet Cockatoo is simply tinted with brown, grey, and white ; but 

 these colours are so pure, and their arrangement so harmonious, that the eye does not at all 

 look for brighter colouring. 



It is mostly seen upon the gi'oimd, where it runs with great swiftness, and is very 

 accomplished at winding its way among the grass stems, upon the seeds of which it 

 subsists. It is by no means a shy bird, and will permit of a close approach, so that its 

 habits can be readily watched. When alarmed, it leaves the ground and flies off to the 

 nearest tree, perching upon the liranches and crouching down upon them lengthwise so as 

 to be invisible from below, lliere is no great difticulty in shooting it, which is a matter 

 fif some consequence to the hunter, as its flesh is notable for its tenderness and delicate 

 flavour. 



The eggs of this species are pure \vhite, which is tlie case with Parrot eggs generally, 

 and tlieir number is from four to six. 



^Ir. Gould gives the following description of the Parrakeet Cockatoo : — ■ 



" The interior portion of tlie vast continent of Australia may be said to possess a 

 fauna almost peculiar to itself, but of which our present knowledge is extremely limited. 

 New forms therefore of great interest may be expected when the difficulties which the 

 explorer has to encounter in his journey towards the centre shall be overcome. This 



