LABGE-BEAXED BIRDS. 119 



short and even- tailed species, which are found distributed through- 

 out all divisions of the globe within the tropics. This is the 

 typical group of the Psittacidce, and is analogous to the coniros- 

 tral tribe of the Incessores. 



3d sub-family. Plyctolophina, or Cockatoos, including the birds 

 commonly known by this name, as well as the black and other 

 nearly allied species ; they are natives of the Indian continent 

 and islands, and of Australia. These represent the Scansores, 

 and consequently the Rasorial order, in their own family. 



4th sub-family. Loriana, or Lories, natives of India and its 

 islands ; herein are also included the numerous members of the 

 genus Trichoglossus (YiGOEs), and several other generic forms 

 belonging to Australia, all of which are distinguished from the 

 PsittacidcB by their comparatively slender bill and papillose 

 tongue. This division represents the Tenuirostres, and is the 

 Grallatorial group of the Psittacidcs. 



5th sub-family. Platycercina, or Broad-tails, composed of the 

 beautiful genus Platycercus, and of the other ground, or slender 

 legged parrots of Australia. " In it," says SELBY, whom we 

 have here followed rather closely, "we are inclined to place the 

 black parrots of Madagascar, known by the name of Vasa. This 

 division is considered as analogous to the Fissirostral tribe of the 

 Incessores." 



By BUFFON, and other naturalists of an early date, the geogra- 

 phical distribution of the Parrots was supposed to be confined to 

 the sultry climate within the Tropics : but recent discoveries have 

 shewn that it is much wider in extent, particularly in the south- 

 ern hemisphere, where species have been found in latitudes as 

 high as 50, examples having been discovered and brought from 

 the Straits of Magellan. In the northern hemisphere, the limit 

 appears to be more restricted, as the Carolina Parrakeet of North 

 America, and some few African species, are seldom seen beyond 

 the 32d or 33d degrees. It is to the Equatorial Regions, how- 

 ever, that we must look as the metropolis of the family, as there 

 the greatest variety of genera are met with, the species which 

 inhabit the colder latitudes being, though numerous, confined to 

 a very limited number of generic forms. In the majority of this 

 family we find a plumage which, for richness and variety of co- 

 lour, yields to few of the feathered race ; and though by some it 

 may be thought gaudy, and too violently and abruptly contrasted, 

 still we think no oae can look at some of the gorgeously decked 

 Macaws, and splendid and effulgent Lories, or the diversely tinted 

 Australian Parrakeets, without acknowledging them to be among 

 the most beautiful and striking of the feathered race. 



The general form of the Psittacida may be stated as short, 

 strong, and compact, but as deficient in elegance, in the short 



