266 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



becoming rarer towards the Korth. Mr. Elliot, however, mentions 

 it as visiting Dharwar, above the Ghats, during the rains only. It 

 is found in small flocks, and keeps up a continual chirping when 

 feeding, which it does on fruit and flower-buds, partly probably 

 for the nectar contained in the latter. It is said to be fond of the 

 toddy of the cocoanut-palm, and to be sometimes taken stupified at 

 the toddy-pots ; and I have had them brought me alive at Telli- 

 cherry, said to have been taken in that situation. They are occasion- 

 ally caged, and become very tame, sleeping with their heads down- 

 vs^ard. Great numbers are often to be seen in the shops of the 

 Calcutta bird-dealers. They are popularly known as "Love-birds;'' 

 a name which is also applied to the birds belonging to Agapornis 

 of Africa, Psittacula of S. America, and to the small Trichoglossus 

 pumilns of Australia. 



Other species of Loriculus are L. galgulus from the Malay 

 peninsula; L. astaticus {indicus, Auct.,^ from Ceylon; and several 

 others from China, the Philippines, and the Eastern islands. 



Psittinus Malaccensis is the only other species of Parjot found 

 in the Malayan peninsula, not previously noticed. It has a large 

 bill, well toothed, and moderately bulging, and the bird has very 

 much the aspect of a PaloBomis with a short tail. The true Lories 

 are chiefly from the Moluccas and N. Guinea, and group into two 

 principal divisions ; 1st, True Lories, with shortish square tails, 

 from the Moluccas ; and 2nd, Trichoglossus, chiefly from Australia. 

 All of them feed on the juices of floAvers and soft fruits. 



The Platycercincs of Australia are chiefly ground-birds, of 

 rich and gorgeous plumage, which feed much on seeds and grains. 

 They usually have the tail lengthened and broad, and the tarsus also 

 long ; and they are very quick in their movements. 



The Cockatoos, Cacatuincs, consist of two great divisions — 1st, 

 the white Cockatoos, with large crests, from the Moluccas and 

 Australia ; and 2nd, the Black Cockatoos of Australia and neigh- 

 bouring isles, iormmg the genei'Si Microglossum and Calyptorhynclms ; 

 remarkable, the former for its large, toothed, upper mandible, and 

 the small lower one — the latter for its short, but very deep and 

 curved, bill, and naked face. Both of these are crested, and of 

 dark or black plumage, sometimes relieved by deep red or yellow 



