AVES. 363 



black -headed parrot, P. melanocephalus {pi. 97, jig. 5), is a very fine 

 Indian species. There are many other birds belonging to this group. 



Sub-Jam. 5. Cacatuince, or Cockatoos. Bill large, but generally short 

 and very strong; wings generally long; tail long, broad, usually truncate; 

 tarsi short and strong. Size mostly large ; colors plain. 



This group contains about thirty species, which are restricted to Aus- 

 tralia and some of the Indian islands. Many of these birds are large 

 species with pure white plumage and handsome crests, which they can 

 erect at pleasure. These crests are sometimes very finely colored, as in 

 the yellow-crested cockatoo, Cacatua sulphurea [pi. 97, fig. 1), and the 

 citron-crested (C citrino-cristata) and others. 



There is another genus of this sub- family which have nearly black 

 plumage, with their tails frequently variegated with red and yellow, such 

 as Banks's cockatoo {Calyptorhynchus hanksii), and Cook's parrot (O. 

 cookii), and others. These are large birds, represented by travellers as 

 being very common and noisy in the forests of Australia. 



Fam. 3. PiciDiE, OR Woodpeckers. A family of about two hundred and 

 fifty birds, which are scattered over the surface of the whole world. They 

 are readily recognised by their straight bills and erect position when 

 perched. 



Suh-fam. 1. CapitonincB, or Barhets. Bill large, broad at base, which is 

 usually furnished with bristles ; wrings moderate, rather short ; tail generally 

 short ; tarsi and feet short, strong. 



The birds of this sub-family are abundant in all tropical countries. They 

 feed on fruits and insects, and make nests in hollow trees or in holes like 

 the woodpeckers. The grooved-bill barbet, Pogonias sulciroslris (pi. 97, 

 fig. 11), is an African species ; the green and orange barbet, Capito viri- 

 diaurantius {pi. 97, fig. 10), is a native of India. 



Sub-fam. 2. PicincB, or typical Woodpeckers. Bill rather long, straight, 

 broad at base, upper mandible with a lateral ridge ; wings generally short ; 

 tail lengthened, with the feathers pointed ; tarsi short, strong ; toes long. 

 Size generally small ; colors mostly black and white. 



The most numerous of all groups of woodpeckers, and comprises birds of 

 all countries. The American species of this sub-family are commonly 

 known by the name of sapsuckers ; the red-headed woodpecker, which 

 belongs to another sub-family, being the only species called by the name of 

 woodpecker in the United States. 



The hairy woodpecker {Picus villosus), the downy woodpecker {P. 

 pubescens), and the yellow-bellied woodpecker {P. varius), are the most 

 common species, though there are several others. They are very active 

 and harmless little birds, always seen in pursuit of insects on the trunks and 

 branches of trees. 



There are three common European species, known as Picus major 

 {pi. 98, fig. 8), P. medius, and P. minor. Many others are natives of 

 Asia and Africa, all of which par-take of the same general habits and 

 appearance as those of America. The Cayenne woodpecker, P. cayen- 

 nensis {pi. 98, fig. 6), is a common South American species. 



567 



