364 SCANSORES. 



can be easily taught to repeat many words and sentences. It 

 lives on fruit, particularly that of the Mangrove-tree. The 

 COMMON GRAY PARROT, P. erythacus, is thought superior to all 

 others in docility and mimicry ; when well taught, it completely 

 imitates the human voice ; and is clear in its articulation. A 

 Roman cardinal, it is said, "gave a hundred gold pieces" for one 

 of these birds which had learned to repeat distinctly the "Apos- 

 tle's creed." La Vaillant mentions one which had lived in con- 

 finement ninety-three years. The Parrots of this group are 

 square-tailed, and have no crests. (2.) The LONG-BILLED PAR- 

 ROTS, (Australian genus Nestor,) are the connecting link between 

 these and the Cockatoos. (3.) The COCKATOOS, Plyctolopliina, 

 (Gr. with washed, or folding crests.) are natives of Australia and 

 the Indian Islands. These are also square-tailed, but have 

 crests upon their heads. (Plate X. fig. 5a.) They are white 

 birds, with the crests and under parts of the tail-feathers yellow; 

 quite gentle in disposition, and easily domesticated, with the ex- 

 ception of a large Black Cockatoo, found in Australia. Their 

 imitative powers seldom go beyond a very few words added to 

 their own cry of "Cockatoo." (4.) The LOVE-BIRDS, Psittacula, 

 are a group of beautiful and diminutive birds, nearly allied to 

 the True Parrots, and found on both 'Continents. They are dis- 

 tinguished by their slightly graduated tails; and they have no 

 furcula, or wish-bone. (5.) The PARRAKEETS, or PARRAQUETS, 

 Palaornis, (Gr. palaios, old; ornis, bird,) are natives of India 

 and the adjacent islands. Some eleven or twelve species are 

 enumerated, one of which is found in Australia ; their color is 

 green, with the under parts scarlet. One species is named P. 

 Alexandri, after Alexander the Great, in whose time these birds 

 were first introduced into Europe. They have ever been noted 

 for their beauty of form and movement; their powers of imita- 

 tion, arid their show of affection when kindly treated. Amid the 

 luxuries of Rome, the " Indian-Bird " was kept in cages of the 

 most costly materials, nor was any price, however great, deemed 

 extravagant, or beyond its value. A species which Wilson 

 calls the Parrakeet^bui which is named by Audubon Psittacus 

 Garolinensis, is found as far north as Cincinnati, Ohio. The 

 Parrakeets have long pointed tails. (6.) The MACAWS, or MAC- 

 CAWS, Macroceros, (Gr. long-horned.) are American Birds. 

 Those of South America and the Antilles, are the largest and 

 most highly colored. Their imitative powers are much less 

 than those of the True Parrots, but when domesticated, they be- 

 come greatly attached. These birds are long-tailed, and the 

 largest of the family. The M. Ararauna, of Brazil, has a 



