THE PARROT. 61 



nimbly from bough to bough, and swings itself 

 about, hanging by its bill and claws. These use- 

 ful members serve it both for hands and for feet. 



As ii> climbs from bough to bough, the tender 

 green twigs around are a kind of meadow or pas- 

 ture in which it delights. It will cling by its 

 bill to the bough overhead. Then, with one of 

 its feet, it grasps a branch by its side, and with 

 the other foot it takes hold of a twig on the 

 other side. Thus it makes its way through the 

 trees as fast as it can. 



The naturalist, who has carefully studied the 

 subject, can tell by looking at the bill what kind 

 of food the bird subsists upon. And the bill of 

 the Parrot tells its own story. It is intended to 

 do hard work, and to crack the forest nuts, and 

 get out the kernels. It has, therefore, a peculiar 

 form, and it would be worth our while to pause 

 a moment, and look at it. 



It is a strong, sharp, hooked instrument, which 

 the Parrot can drive into the hardest shell, and 

 make a hole in it. And it is worked by very 

 powerful muscles indeed. The Parrot's large, full 



