SCANSOEES. 253 



have coloured eggs. They vary a good deal in some points of 

 their anatomy. 



They are divided into the following families — 1st, Psittacidce 

 Parrots ; 2nd, Picidce, Woodpeckers ; 3rd, MegalaimidcB, Barbets ; 

 4th, Cucidid<s, Cuckoos ; all of which are represented in India. 

 Other families, not known in India, are, — 5th, Ramphastidce, or 

 Toucans, peculiar to the new world ; 6th, Musopha(/idce, Plantain- 

 eaters, and 7th Coliidce, or Colies, the two last only found in Africa. 



That very peculiar bird, Opisthocomus cristatus, of South America, 

 placed among the Gallinacece by most foreign Ornithologists, near 

 the Plantain-eaters by Gray, and among the Cuckoos by Swainson, 

 is located by Wallace between these two last families. 



Fam. PsiTTACiD^, Parrots. 



Bill short, thick, strong ; upper mandible much curved and 

 hooked, (sometimes toothed or notched) overhanging the lower 

 one, and with an acute tip ; lower mandible short, obtuse ; base 

 of bill covered with a cere, in which the round and small nostrils 

 are pierced, near the culmen ; wings usually moderate or long, 

 the 2nd quill generally the longest; tail various ; tarsi short, 

 stout, covered with small tubercle-like scales ; toes in pairs ; 

 claws well curved. 



The Parrots are too well known to require much detail of their 

 fitructure or general appearance. They are mostly birds of gay 

 and gorgeous plumage ; some with short and nearly square tails ; 

 many with very long and wedge-shaped tails. The bill varies a good 

 deal in length and strength. Parrots are inhabitants of the warm 

 countries of the whole globe, extending into the temperate 

 regions in Australia, and even to the cold climate of the Auckland 

 Islands, south of New Zealand. They dwell chiefly in forests, and 

 live on fruit, grain, or roots, &c. ; they hold their food up to the 

 mouth with one foot, as with a hand ; and i^&j clamber well, aided 

 by their powerful bill. They nidificate in holes of trees, and 

 lay several white eggs. Their voice is generally harsh. They 

 have great intelligence ; and, from the conformation of their larynx 

 and tongue, are enabled to imitate the human voice better than 

 most other birds. 



