248 CONURUS CAROL1NENS1S. 



Although the Banded, Three-toed as well as the Black-backed, resembles members of 

 the genus, Picus, in many respects, yet they differ in one particular from the Hairy and' 

 Downy Woodpeckers for they are seldom found outside of the woods. They are not com- 

 mon anywhere, even in Northern New England in winter, and visit Massachusetts only as 

 rare stragglers. They are, perhaps, a little more southern in distribution in summer than 

 the Black-backed as they occur rarely about Lake Umbagog and have been found nesting, 

 by Dr. C. Hart Merriam, in Northern New York. 



; ORDER VIII. PSITTACI. PARROTS. 



Sternum, with two inclosed marginal indentations. Keel, very high. Outer anterior toe, 

 projected backward. 



Members of this large Order are familiar to nearly every one; so familiar, in fact, as 

 scarcely to need more than a passing notice, at least as regards external characters. The 

 marginal indentations of the sternum are two in number, as stated, and are inclosed on the 

 posterior border in the adult but may be open in the young. The feet are admirably fit- 

 ted for climbing, there being two toes in front and two behind. The bill is of varying 

 form but is always strong and has the upper mandible well curved. 



FAMILY I. PSITTACID^l. THE LONG-TAILED PARROTS. 



Posterior border of sternum, rounded. Scapular bones, pointed. Tail, long. Cheeks, 

 feathered. , 



The tail is long and pointed. Although the cheeks are feathered, yet there is occasion- 

 ally a naked ring around the eye. The cere is feathered to the bill. This Family is largely 

 represented in Tropical America but we have only one species and one genus within our 

 limits 



GENUS I. CONURUS. THE AMERICAN PAROKEETS. 



GEN. CH. Bill, short and very strong, with theupper mandible notched. Tail , very long . Stomach, muscular. Height 

 of keel, nearly equal to the width of the sternum. 



Members of this genus are prominently marked with green. There is, as stated, but one species within our limits, al- 

 though several occur as far north as Mexico. 



CONURUS CAROLINENSIS. 



Carolina Parokeet. 

 Conurus Carolinensis KUIIL, Nova Acta, K. L. C.; 1830. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Sp. CH. Form, robust. Size, large. Sternum, stout, with the keel high and well rounded at the tip. Manubrium, 

 small. Furcula, very short, slender and without any terminal expansion; it is, however, moderately well arched. Costal 

 process very short, pointed, and curved backward. Tongue, short, thick, and terminating in a rounded knob. It is black 

 in color. The bill is strongly curved, notched, and the upper mandible is pointed. There is a naked space around the eye, 

 The tarsi are short and the feet, large. Tail, long and pointed. 



