PARROTS. 79 



it can run among the grass with great rapidity and persistency, or lie close to the ground, like a hen 

 or a woodcock, in the hope of being overlooked, and when flushed will rise and fly quickly over the 

 ground, making all kinds of zig-zags in the air, like a snipe, then fall again, and run hurriedly on. 

 The eggs, which are white, are laid on the bare ground, and both parents assist in their incubation. 

 The young assume the plumage of the adult in the spring, and separate from their parents as soon 

 as they are old enough to provide for themselves. The flesh of the Ground Parrakeet is considered 

 very excellent ; it is more tender than that of a snipe, and in flavour not unlike that of the quail. 

 The example figured in our coloured illustration (Plate II.) is the Ptzopo?-inus cornutus, which differs 

 somewhat from the preceding, especially in having two beautiful horn-like appendages to the head. 



THE LORIES. 



In India and the neighbouring islands we find some species of Short-tailed Parrots called Lories 

 (Lorii), differing so essentially from those we have described, that modern naturalists are inclined to 

 form them into a separate family. Amongst the points in which they are unlike other parrots, we 

 must mention their comparatively long neck, and feeble beak, the slightly bent under-mandible, 

 without notches at the edge, and closely compressed ; the by no means fleshy tongue, divided at its 

 tip into a bunch of horny fibres, and the streaming plumage, which is decorated with the most 

 magnificent colours. Our knowledge of these beautiful birds in their native state is very limited ; we 

 are, however, told that the fibrous tongue is employed to lap up the sweet juices that exude from the 

 leaves and blossoms of the trees, and that this very peculiar diet is the great hindrance to their being 

 tamed or transported to any considerable distance ; stiH, in spite of this, some species are occasionally 

 brought to Europe, and will live for many years in a cage. They are docile, and may be taught to 

 speak, but are quiet and languid when in confinement. 



THE PURPLE-CAPPED LORY. 



The Purple-capped Lory, or Lorikeet {Lorius domicclla), the largest and best known of these 

 birds, is a really magnificent creature, about twelve inches long and twenty inches across the wings. 

 The plumage is of brilliant scarlet, deep purple on the top of the head, the back of the head violet, 

 the upper wing-covers green, the legs sky-blue ; over the breast runs a crescent-shaped yellow line ; 

 the tail-feathers are scarlet at the root, striped with black towards the top, and dotted with yellow at 

 the tips ; the beak is orange-coloured, and the feet dark grey. 



The Purple-Capped Lory lives in parties in the woods, which it never quits ; its movements 

 are lively, and its flight very rapid. It would seem that these birds do not subsist entirely upon the 

 nectar from plants, as they may be reared without any particular care upon bread soaked in milk, or 

 any kind of parrot food, and will live for years upon this diet. 



We learn from the sailors who bring them to Europe that they are frequently offered for sale in 

 India, but die in great numbers when in confinement. 



THE DAPPLED LORIKEET. 



The Dappled Lorikeet (Psittcitteks versicolor) is a small bird of about six and a half inches 



in length. The plumage is much variegated ; the cheek-stripes and top of the head are dark 



red, with a band round the neck of deep sky blue ; the back blueish green, die wings green, the 



upper tail-covers light yellowish green, all the upper feathers being narrowly striped with yellowish 



