416 



PARROTS 



parrots, and have longer tails. There are numerous species^ 

 some distinguished by a very long pointed tail, and collar-like 

 mark round the neck, which inhabit the Asiatic continent and 

 islands ; and others, natives of Australia, which are distinguished 

 by their colour being gorgeously variegated and peculiarly 

 mottled on the back, by their tail feathers not being pointed, 

 and by their being furnished with elongated tarsi adapted for 

 running on the ground. 



To the former belongs the beautiful ring paroquet, which is 

 supposed to have been the first bird of the parrot kind known 

 to the ancient Grreeks, having been brought from the island of 

 Ceylon, after the Indian expeditions of Alexander the Grreat ; 



to the latter, the elegant green pa- 

 rakeet, which in the hot seasons con- 

 gregates about the pools in almost 

 incredible numbers. Though capable 

 of a rapid and even flight, and fre- 

 quently at great altitudes, it is gene- 

 rally found running over the ground, 

 Green Parakeet. ^j^^j treading its Way among the grasses 



to feed on the seeds. It can easily be domesticated, and a more 

 elegant or beautiful pet can scarcely be conceived. 



It is a strange fact that the parrots, that will eat nux vomica 

 without danger, expire in convulsions after having tasted parsley, 

 another proof of the truth of the saying that what is poison for 

 one creature is food for another. 



