70 



XOOLOGY. 



The character of this Order is, that the Bill is coiiTex, 

 compressed ; with the edges (in most of the species) cul- 

 traled. 



1. Psittacus. Parrot. Bill hooked, upper mandible 

 moveable, mostly covered at the base with Cere ; itos- 

 trils rounded, situated near the base of the bill : tongue 

 fleshy, obtuse, entire; feet formed for climbirg, having 

 two toes forward, and two backward. This genus is 

 divided into Maccaw s ; having the sides of the head 

 bare of feathers ; the tail long, and m edge-shaped. 

 Cockatoos, head crested ; tail short, even at the ex- 

 tremily. Parrots, sides of the head bare, witiiout a 

 crest, tail short, and even at the tip. Parr greets, 

 cheeks covered with feathers ; tail pointed. Louys, 

 this division contains many of the most beautiful Birds 

 of the genus, their predominant colours, are various 

 shades of red ; the cheeks are covered with feathers ; in 

 some species the tail is even, in others, cuueated. 



Parrotts feed mostly on seeds and fruits, some devour the 

 eggs of birds, and various kinds of small reptiles ; they are 

 all natives of warm woody countries, and are generally gre- 

 garious; they lay but two eggs, which are usually deposited 

 in the decaying hollows of trees, or in holes, that have been 

 previously occupied by some species of Woodpecker. AVhen 

 full grown, they are hardly to be taken alive; but the 

 young, may be reared from the nest, and soon become quite 

 tame and familiar ; they possess the faculty of speaking, 

 more perfectly than any other kind of bird, and resemble th» 

 human voice so nearly, as often to be mistaken for it. 



