192 GENUS PLATVCERCUS. 



convex, deeply emarginate, with the tip broad, short, 

 and quadrate. Palatial cutters large, and fully de- 

 veloped. Tongue simple, smooth. Wings of mean 

 length, rounded, the first quill considerably shorter 

 than the second and third, which are the longest, 

 and nearly equal, the second, third, fourth, and fifth 

 with their external webs abruptly emarginated a little 

 behind the middle. Tail broad and depressed, 

 rounded or subgraduate, the feathers with their tips 

 rounded. Feet with the tarsi elevated and slender. 

 Toes slender, claws rather long and slightly falcated. 

 The species belonging to this beautiful genus are 

 already very numerous, and additions are constantly 

 being made to it, as our knowledge of New Holland 

 is extended, of which interesting country the ma- 

 jority of those already discovered are natives. They 

 are of active habits, and are usually seen in large 

 flocks, except during the period of reproduction. 

 They feed upon seeds, particularly upon the grasses 

 and Cerealea, and frequently do much damage in re- 

 cent settlements to the ripening as well as to the 

 new sown maize and wheat. The first species we 

 have to notice is considered by Mr Vigors as the 

 type of the genus : it is the 



