43 2 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



strong and hooked claws, which make these birds pre-eminently 

 climbers, with the exception of one single species Platycercina 

 Vigor sia, which have rather long tarsi, and straight claws, enabling 

 them to run \vith some rapidity ; the Parrots, on the contrary, walk 

 with difficulty, and with such trouble that they rarely descend to 

 the ground, and only under pressing circumstances. Besides, they 

 find all the necessaries of their existence on trees. They are not 

 more favoured with regard to their flight ; and we can understand 

 that it should be so ; for, living in thick woods, they only require 

 to effect trifling changes of place, such as from one tree to another. 

 However, some species, especially the smaller, are capable of a 

 more prolonged and effective use of their wings. According to 

 Levaillant, some even migrate, and travel hundreds of miles every 

 year ; but this is an exception. In general, Parrots are sedentary, 

 and remain in the localities where reared. 



Sociable in their dispositions, they assemble in more or less 

 numerous bands, and make the forests re-echo with their loud 

 cries. To some species it is such an imperative necessity to be 

 near each other and live in common, that they have received 

 from naturalists the name of " inseparables." At breeding-time each 

 couple isolate themselves for the purpose of reproduction. The 

 male and female evince the greatest attachment to each other. 

 The females deposit their eggs in the hollows of trees and in the 

 crevices of rocks. The young birds are quite naked when hatched ; 

 it is not till the end of three months that they are completely 

 covered with feathers. The parent birds wait upon them with the 

 greatest solicitude, and become threatening when approached too 

 closely by intruders. 



Essentially frugivbrous, parrots prefer the fruits of the palm, 

 banana, and guava trees. They may be seen perched upon one 

 foot, using the other to bear the food to their beaks, and retain it 

 there till eaten. After they have extracted the kernel they free 

 it from its envelope, and swallow it in particles. They often visit 

 plantations, and cause great devastation. In a domestic state they 

 are omnivorous. Besides seeds and grain, they eat bread, and 

 even raw or cooked meat, and it is with manifest pleasure that they 

 receive bones to pick ; they are also very partial to sugar. It is 

 well known that bitter almonds and parsley act upon them as violent 

 poisons. They drink and bathe very frequently ; in summer they 

 evince the greatest desire for plunging and splashing in water. 

 Captive Parrots will habituate themselves, if permitted, to the use 

 of wine ; it produces the same effect on them as on the human 



