90 THE LORIES. 



birds flock round it to rifle its sweets, and to sport 

 around them, showering down bunches of flowers 

 as if in play. The Lorikeet feeds so greedily, and 

 is so intent on satisfying his hunger, that an 

 enemy may approach very near without being 

 perceived. Nay, the fatal gun may be pointed at 

 him, and yet he will not stir. After he has been 

 shot, he will yet cling to the branch ; for his claws 

 have grasped so tightly that they will not all at 

 once relax their hold. 



When he drops to the ground, or is picked from 

 the bough, his crop is full of honey. The native 

 is as fond of sweets as the bird is, and he puts the 

 head of the poor Lorikeet in his mouth, and sucks 

 the honey out through the beak. 



I should tell you that the name Lory has 

 been given to this tribe of Parrots, because they 

 have the habit of saying the word " Lory " over 

 and over again. 



