Order Il. 
The peculiarity of this Order consists in the 
structure of the toes. In most species two toes are 
directed forwards, and two backwards, so that the 
birds are not only enabled to perch securely on 
branches &c., but also to climb easily up and down 
the trunks of trees. 
Psittacide. 
(Plate VI.) 
The Parrots are true denizens of the tropics, 
and many of them are remarkable for their beautiful 
colours, and their great power of initating the human 
voice, &c. Most of the species feed on roots and 
seeds and their strongly curved, and hooked beak, both 
mandibles of which are movable, is not only useful 
to crack hard shells, but is of great assistance to 
them in climbing fromm branch to branch. Different 
kinds are known as parrots, parrakeets, macaws, luries, 
cockatoos, &e. 
In the Macaws (Ava) the beak is very large, 
with the ridge broad and flattened, the cheeks broad 
and naked, the wings long and pointed, and 
the tail longer than the body. 
Fig. d. The Great Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) 
is a large bird, measuring two feet in length. 
It inhabits prineval forests in the east of South 
America, far removed from human dwellings. — Its 
plumage shines with the most brilliant colours, of 
which red is the most extended, and the naked 
cheeks, which look as if they had been powdered, 
are ornamented with small pencils of red feathers. 
In the Parrakeets the body is slender, the tail 
pointed, as long as the body, and the plumage usu- 
ally of brilliant colours. 
The Grass Parrakeet (Melopsittacus undulatus) 
figured on the accompanying woodcut, is one of 
Family I. (Parrots.) 
es 
van 
ve 
“Ws 
a 
SYS 

The Grass Parakeet. 
the smaller parrots. It is of a yellowish grass-green, 
with waved blackish transverse lines. The forehead 
and cheeks are sulphur-yellow, and there are four 
tufts of blue feathers on the cheeks. In the female 
the cere is of a greyish green, instead of purple, as 
m the male. This species inhabits the grassy plains 
Scansores. 




(Climbing Birds.) 
of Australia in flocks. It is often kept in cages in 
Europe, and breeds readily in captivity. 
Figs e. The Alexandrine Parrakeet (Palgornts 
Alevandri) is said to have been first brought to 
Europe from India by Alexander the Great. It is 3 
grass-green, with a rosy-red beak and collar. 
In the genus Calyptorhynchus the beak is short 
and crescent-shaped, the lower mandible very broad, 
the wings short and broad, the tail long, and the 
crest smaller than in the more typical Cockatoos. 
Fig. f. Sir Joseph Bank's Cockatoo (Calypto- 
rhynchus Banksiz) is a rather scarce species found in 
New South Wales. It feeds on seeds, caterpillars &c. 
The colour of the male is greenish black, with a red 
transverse band across the tail. 
(Plate VIL) 
In the genus /%sz/tacus, the beak is strong, © 
moderately long, and curved almost in a half circle. 
The legs are short; and the toes long. The feathers 
are broad, and the eye is often surrounded with a bare 
space. j 
Fig. a. The Grey Parrot (Psttacus erithacus) 
is an inhabitant of Africa. Its colours are not re- 
markable, but it is one of the most intelligent species, 
and is often seen in cages. 
In the Cockatoos (Cacatua) the colour is gener- 
ally white, sometimes rosy, with an upright divided — 
crest on the head. 
Fig. b. The yellow-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua 
galevita) abounds in Australia, where it may be seen 
in flocks of hundreds. It is very docile, and easily 
taught. 
Family Il Ramphastida. 
(Plate VIL.) 
The Toucans are found in South America, and 
are remarkable for their disproportionately large 
beak, which is gradually curved, serrated at the 
edges and very light in proportion to its bulk. The 
bright colours of the beak observable in that of the 
living bird soon fade after death. 
Fig. c. The Ariel Toucan (Ramphastos Ariel) 
is as large as a crow. It is black, varied with red and 
yellow, and feeds on fruits and insects. 
(Toucans.) 
Family I. Picide. (Woodpeckers.) 
(Plate VIL.) 
The Woodpeckers are the chief representatives 
of the Climbing Birds in Europe. They climb about 
the trunks and branches of trees, hammering at 
every loose scrap of bark in order to get at the 
insects which may be hidden beneath. Their toes, 
which are arranged in pairs, give them a firm support, 
which is increased by the stiff tail; their beak is 
sharp and very strong, and their tongue is long, 
and can be darted out rapidly. 
Fig. d. The Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus 
martius) is found throughout Europe, Asia, and — 
North Africa. It is most common in extensive mount- _ 
ain forests. The bird is black, with the crown of — 
the head and the back of the neck red in the male; in 
the female this colouring is only found on the neck. — 
Fig. e. The Green Woodpecker (Gecinus viri- 
dis) is smaller than the last species. The red mark- 
ings on the head are less extended in the female | 
than in the male. It is common in many parts of 
Europe. 
SS Se ee 
|. 
