142 THE CHAFFINCH, MANAKIN, LINNET, PARROT. 



THE CHAFFINCH 



Is of a varied brown colour, with a whitish abdomen, 

 forming a very beautiful mixture- It is very common in 

 England, and the male is sometimes caged for its song. 

 It dwells in pairs during the summer, feeding on insects; 

 but in winter, is gregarious, and eats grains. 



THE TUNEFUL MANAK1N 



Is of dusky colour with a blue head and neck, and 

 yellow forehead : the under parts are orange. Its song 

 is said to comprehend the complete octave often repeated 

 in successive notes. It is common in St. Domingo. 



THE LINNET, 



Or greater Redpole Finch, is of a varying brown colour, 

 with a red forehead, and some variegations of white and 

 black, These birds unite in flocks during winter, feeding 

 on seeds, particularly flax. Their song is very fine, and 

 they may be taught to articulate words with great clearness : 

 they are very docile. It is found in Europe and North 

 America. A lesser species is more abundant, and feeds 

 particularly on the seeds of the alder. 



THE PARROT. 



The numerous and splendid genus Psittacus, or Parrot, 

 is chiefly confined to the regions within the tropics. 

 From their active and imitative disposition, they have 

 been termed the monkeys of the birds. The form of their 

 tongue, which is flat, round and fleshy, enables them to 

 articulate better than the other birds. The upper man- 

 dible is moveable, a remarkable circumstance, and their 

 feet are formed for climbing. They eat fruits, and live in 

 pairs, depositing their eggs, two in number, in the holes of 



