BIRDS 



39 1 



(o) 



From "Animate Creation" 

 FIG. 164. The three-toed woodpecker. 



creature taking advantage of the instincts or 

 habits of another. Slaves are enslaved as much 

 by their own na- 

 tures as by the 

 force and cun- 

 ning of their 

 masters ; char- 

 acters which 

 were entirely 

 serviceable un- 

 der different 

 conditions, be- 

 come the instru- 

 ments of tyranny. The parrots, generally 

 known by their characteristic bills and brilliant 

 plumage, are widely spread over the earth, but 

 mainly confined to warm or tropical regions. 

 They are fruit and seed eaters, but the kea 

 parrot of New Zealand has in recent times 

 taken to killing sheep. The birds alight on 

 the backs of the unfortunate animals, tear 

 away the wool, and penetrate the flesh until 

 they come to the fat in the region of the kid- 

 neys, which they devour. This transition to a 

 flesh-eating habit is not so abrupt as we might 

 suppose, since the parrots of this genus (Nes- 

 tor) naturally feed on insect larvae. The gray 

 parrot of Africa is famous for its ability to 

 talk, and even to sing in a fashion, following 

 the human voice. The green American par- 

 rots also are clever talkers. 



Coraciiformes. Another strange assemblage, Owls, hum- 

 containing such divergent types as the .king- JJJS^Jjj!' 

 fishers, owls, goatsuckers, humming birds, peckers 



