MALACCA PARRAKEET. 73 



spread family into groups, and found their divi- 

 sions on the bill, the tongue, and the feet of the 

 bird. 



The bill is differently shaped according to the 

 species. It is longer or shorter, or more or less 

 curved, or its edges are either with or without 

 notches. 



The tongue may be thick and fleshy, or it may 

 end in a kind of brush, or it may be merely a 

 hollow and rather horny tube or gland. Some- 

 times the claws will be short and thick, and the 

 Parrot can run along the ground, instead of al- 

 ways climbing. 



There is a group of Parrots which are the most 

 graceful and beautiful of the whole tribe. Their 

 bodies are of an emerald green, and their bills of 

 a deep ruby. Round the neck is a rose-coloured 

 collar. The two middle feathers in the tail reach 

 to a great length, and are of a beautiful blue. 

 The bird itself has a moderately sized bill, the 

 lower mandible short and notched. Its claws are 

 rather weak and slender ; and it goes by the name 

 of the Malacca Parrakeet. 



