PARROTS. 349 



OKDER XVI. PSITTACI. 



The parrots, though a group so well defined that the merest tyro at once recog- 

 nizes their limits, have made no little trouble for the systematic ornithologist. Char- 

 acters which in other birds are deemed even of ordinal importance here vary in the 

 most curious manner within the limits of one genus, thus giving rise to the greatest 

 differences in the systematic arrangement of the group. These superficial characters 

 which at once, and so forcibly, strike the observer are, however, accompanied by cer- 

 tain constant internal features of far more importance, so that the group is a wholly 

 natural one. Only a few of these need concern us here. 



The parrots have the bill short and stout, the upper half extending beyond and 

 turning down over the lower. At the base of the bill is frequently seen a peculiar 

 wax-like patch (the cere), through which the nostrils open ; this cere is always present, 

 though frequently it is concealed by the feathers. In the feet also, we notice a 

 peculiarity which we have not before met in the course of our survey of the birds, but 

 which will reappear again in some of the following groups. This is the fact that two 

 of the toes (first and fourth) are directed backwards, while the other two extend for- 

 ward in a normal manner. The tongue is usually large and fleshy, and serves to some 

 extent as an organ of prehension. The upper mandible is loosely articulated with the 

 skull ; the furculum or wish-bone is weak or wanting. The primaries and tail feathers 

 are each ten in number. 



The grouping of the parrots is in a state of dire confusion. The late Mr. A. H. 

 Garrod, the former protector of the Zoological Society of London, proposed a scheme 

 in 1874, based upon the dissections of the muscular system and the carotid arteries of 

 some eighty-two species, representing thirty-eight genera and sub-genera. In this the 

 carotid arteries were given primary importance, and the ambiens muscle was nearly 

 equal in systematic value. The results, however, were far from satisfactory. Besides 

 not being consistent with itself, it widely divorced species belonging to the same 

 genus, and when tested by geographical distribution gave the most astonishing results. 

 Though far from perfect, the arrangement of Dr. Reichenow is better than any of 

 its predecessors, and for that reason we adopt it here, though without accepting all of 

 its details. 



The number of species of parrots is about four hundred and thirty, and these are 

 arranged in nine families and forty-five genera. The parrots are mostly inhabitants of 

 tropical climates, though many extend beyond the torrid zone. Our Carolina parrakeet 

 reaches the furthest north, while in the Australasian region forms extend to Auckland 

 and Macquarie Islands (55 S.). It is usually stated that the American continent is 

 richest in species. This statement, however, is erroneous. According to Reichenow's 

 lists (1881), the American continent contains one hundred and twenty-six species and 

 sub-species, while the Australasian region (south and east of Wallace's line) affords a 

 home for nearly one hundred and fifty forms. 



Most of the parrots have a brilliant plumage, in some the display of colors being 

 such as to afford very unpleasant contrasts ; others are clothed in feathers so quiet in 

 hue as to give no offence to any member of the Society of Friends. In size consider- 

 able variation is to be seen. The love-birds are hardly larger than sparrows, while the 

 great macaws (Sittace) measure three feet from the tip of the bill to the end of the 



