74 PARROTS. 



They seek the nests of other birds, and devour their eggs, and 

 their recently hatched young. When they obtain their prey, they 

 do not attempt to grind it in their beak, because its structure pre- 

 vents; but they toss it into the air, and, receiving it as it falls, 

 swallow it whole. 



22. The PARROTS, Psittacm, (Plate 4,yfy. 7. and 8.) form 

 a genus, numerous in species, which are found in all warm 

 countries. They have a large, hard, solid beak, which is rounded 

 every where, and surrounded at its base by a membrane through 

 which the nostrils are pierced ; their tongue is thick, fleshy, and 

 round ; their feet are short and strong. They feed on fruits, 

 and climb trees, assisting themselves with their feet and beak. 

 They readily become familiar, and some species imitate the 

 human voice very well ; but their clamorous disposition renders 

 them disagreeable in the house. 



23. The plumage of Parrots varies in colour; it is generally 

 remarkable for its clear and vivid tints : frequently, green pre- 

 dominates; while in certain species, on the contrary, red is the 

 prevailing colour. From their intelligence, these birds seem to 

 claim a place at the head of their class, and form the connecting 

 link between it and the superior beings in the scale of animals. 

 They learn to talk, retain airs, and are in short, susceptible of 

 education ; they convey their food to the beak with their claws; 

 they are frugivorous, and also feed on buds, tender bark, roots, 

 and sweet juices of plants. This genus is divided into Maccaws, 

 Paroquets, Parrots properly so called, Cockatoos, &c. 



24. The Maccaws, Arc, (Plate 4, fig. 7.) have a wedge- 

 shaped tail, which is longer than the body, a strong beak and a 

 naked face ; they are all American. The Jlra aracari, or Blue 

 MaccctW) is one that is most frequently seen in France, where 

 it is produced in the domestic state ; it is from thirty to thirty- 

 two inches in length. All the upper parts, that is, the top of the 

 head, the back of the neck, the back, the rump, the wings, and 

 all the top of the tail are of a brilliant azure blue. The chest and 

 all the under part of the body are of a bright yellow. The naked 

 space on the cheeks is of considerable extent, and is of a rosy 

 white colour, with three little horizontal lines of black feathers ; 

 the throat is surrounded by a broad greenish collar. 



25. The Paroquets, also have a wedge shaped tail, which is 

 sometimes longer than the body, sometimes of the same length, 



22. How are Parrots distinguished ? What are their habits? 



23. What is the colour of the plumage of Parrots? For what are these 

 birds particularly remarkable ? How is the genus of Parrots divided ? 



24. How are Maccaws distinguished ? What are the characters of the 

 Blue Maccaw? 



25. What are the characters of the Paroquets ? 



