LYRE-TAIL. ORDER SCANSORES. 467 



to its large size, equalling that of a Pheasant, which has caused 

 some Naturalists to place it among the Gallinaceous Birds. Its 

 food appears to consist principally of insects, centipedes, snails, 

 &c. ; in search of which it strides with ease over loose stones, 

 and the sides of rocky gullies and ravines. It is further distin- 

 guished for its vocal powers ; for it possesses a loud full note, 

 which may be heard for at least a quarter of a mile ; and also 

 an inward warbling song. It is an extremely shy Bird, inhabit- 

 ing secluded situations, and taking alarm at the slightest unac- 

 customed sound. 



ORDER III. SCANSORES. 



421. THE power of turning one of the front toes backwards, 

 so as to oppose two hind toes to the two front ones (Fig. 187), 

 is that which particularly distinguishes this order : but the 

 group thus formed scarcely appears to be a really natural one ; 

 since the families which possess this character differ from each 

 other in so many particulars, that they do not seem to have any 

 close connection. Their food, habits, aspect, and structure, are 

 so dissimilar, that no general statement is applicable to all of 

 them; except that the form of their feet, which gives them 

 great power of prehension, and thus enables them to cling with 

 firmness to their perch, renders walking more difficult; and 

 that, as they pass most of their time in trees, their powers of 

 flight are usually moderate. This order comprehends the fami- 

 lies of PSITTACID^J, or Parrots; RAMPHASTID^E, or Toucans ; 

 PICIDJE, or Woodpeckers; and CUCULIDJE, or Cuckoos. 



422. The general form and structure of the PSITTACID^E is 

 known to every one, from domesticated specimens. They are 

 characterised by their short hard beaks, which are generally 

 highly arched, and surrounded at the base by a naked skin, in 

 which are the orifices of the nostrils. They are natives of tro- 

 pical and the warmer temperate regions ; and they live for the 

 most part upon fruits, seeds, honey, &c., seeking their food in 

 trees, or upon the ground. This family is a very numerous one ; 



