438 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



Parrakeet (Platycercus eximius, Fig. 165), a native of Van Diemen's 

 Land and New South Wales. 



The Ground Parrakeet (PezopJiorus Jormosus], which inhabits 

 Australia, belongs to this group. These birds form a curious excep- 

 tion in the order of Climbers by their terrestrial habits. According 

 to M. J. Verreaux, they never perch when pursued, but take refuge 



Fig. 166. Swindern's Love-birds. 



on the ground among the herbage. This pretty and highly interesting 

 bird is frequently called by the colonists Pheasant to its length of 

 tail and highly game flavour this misnomer is doubtless attributable. 



Love-birds, of which Psittacula Swinderniana (Fig. 166) is the 

 rarest, are the smallest of this group ; their plumage varies in shades 

 according to the climates. They are met with in America, Southern 

 Africa, and in the islands of Oceania. 



Parrots, properly speaking, are distinguished from other groups 



