SCANSORES. 



493 



rots {Psitiacida), the Toucans {jRhamp/iastide:), and the Tro- 

 gons {Trogonidce). 



Fig. 193. — Scansores. A, Foot of Woodpecker (/'iwi); 

 B, Head of Love*bird (^Aga^rnis). 



The Cuculidce, or Cuckoos, are. chiefly remarkable for the ex- 

 traordinary fact that many of them, instead of nidificating and 

 incubating for themselves, lay their eggs in the nests of other 

 birds. The only bird not belonging to this family which has 

 the same "parasitic" habit, is the Cow Bunting (Molothrus 

 pecoris) of the United States. As a rule, only one egg is 

 deposited in each nest, and the young Cuckoo which is 

 hatched from it, is brought up by the foster-parent, generally 

 at the expense of the legitimate offspring. The large Channel- 

 bill {Scythrops Novce-HoUandia) is said to possess the same 

 curious habit, but many species of this group build nests for 

 themselves in the ordinary manner. 



The second family of the Scansores is that of the Picidcs, and 

 comprises the Woodpeckers and Wry-necks. These birds feed 

 chiefly upon insects, and the tongue is extensible, barbed at 

 the point, and covered with a viscid secretion, so as to enable 

 them to catch their prey by suddenly darting it out. The bill 

 is strong and wedge-shaped, and the claws crooked. The tail- 

 feathers terminate in points, and are unusually hard and stiff, 

 assisting the bird in running up the trunks of trees. 



The next family is that of the Parrots {Psittacidcs), the 

 largest group of the Scansores, comprising over three hundred 

 species. The bill in the Parrots is large and strong, and the 

 upper mandible is considerably longer than the Igwer and is 

 hooked at its extremity (fig. 193, B). The bill is used 'as a 

 kind of third foot in climbing. At the base of the upper 

 mandible is a " cere," in which the nostrils are pierced. The 

 tongue is soft and fleshy. The feet are especially adapted for 



