FAM. LORIIDA 
BY T. SALVADORI 
Characters. Bi// much compressed, generally longer than deep, not notched 

and smooth; culmen rounded and narrow, not grooved along the middle; upper 
mandible with no file-like surface on the under side of the hook, which has only some very 
superficial longitudinal ridges; lower mandible rather long, with the gonys 
narrow, straight, and obliquely slanting upwards, not flattened in front and 
with no keel-like ridge. Tongue brushy. Cere broader over the culmen and 
gradually becoming narrower along the sides of the bill. Tail graduated 
or rounded, sometimes even, rarely longer than the wings, generally shorter. 

Wings acute, with the three first quills generally the longest. Tarsus short. 
Orbital ring complete. 
Laws Habits. The Loriide, like Parrots generally do, live in flocks; they 
are arboreal in their habits clinging to the smaller branches of the trees, 
looking for the flowers as they feed of the nectar and pollen; they are very partial to the blos- 
soms of the Exzcalypti and coral trees. It is not difficult to tame them and can be very gentle 
birds, but they are very indifferent talkers. 
