40 Synopsis of the Birds 



TRIBE I. SC./VYSORES. 



Zygodactyly Vieill. Order Scansores, 111. Cuv. Iianz. Lair. 

 Order Zygodactyly, Temni. 



Toes two before and two behind ; inner hind toe rarely 

 wanting. 



FAMILY III. PSITTACINI. 



Psiltacini, 111. Vieill. Latr. Antilambani, Ranz. 



Order I'rehensores, Bhinville. 



Bill short, large, extremely hard and robust, very high, 

 somewhat compressed, convex above and below, with a cere at 

 base ; both mandibles moveable ; upper curved from the 

 base, hooked at tip, margins angular ; lower shorter, recurved 

 at tip, truncate : nostrils basal, orbicular, perforated in the 

 cere, open : tongue fleshy, thick, entire, rounded at tip, 

 sometimes penicillated. Feet short, robust; tarsus naked, 

 reticulated, shorter than the outer toe ; fore toes united at 

 base, opposable to the bind ones ; outer hind toe not versa- 

 tile; sole broad and flat; nails incurved, rather large and 

 acute. Wings large ; three outer primaries subequal. Tail 

 of twelve feathers, more or less rounded. 



Female generally similar to the male. Young differing 

 greatly from the adult, and changing repeatedly before at- 

 taining their full plumage. Colours brilliant. 



Dwell in forests; noisy, more particularly at the rising and 

 setting of the sun. Climb by means of the bill and feet ; and in 

 some species with the assistance of the tail. From the con- 

 formation of the feet they supply the place of hands. Feed 

 on fruits and seeds, breaking the hardest pericarps with their 

 powerful bill. Build in cavities of trees ; some in the bifur- 

 cation of large limbs ; lay from two to four eggs twice a 

 year. Macerate the food for their young. Easily tamed ; 

 omnivorous in captivity ; some learn with facility to ar- 

 ticulate many words. Analogous to the mammiferous family 

 Simiae : ought perhaps to be placed at the head of the feathered 



