550 ZOOLOGY, 
are the parrots (Psittaci). The tongue is large, soft, and 
remarkably mobile, as the muscles at the base are more dis- 
tinctly developed than in other birds, and the lower larynx 
is complicated with three pairs of muscles; hence these 
birds are wonderful mimickers of the human voice, imi- 
tating the laughter or crying of babies, and repeating brief 
sentences, while some sing. In proportion to their capacity 
for talking, parrots command a very 
high market price. Their toes are in 
pairs, the bill is cered and very stout, 
adapted for cracking hard nuts. The 
wish-bone is sometimes rudimentary, 
and the sternum entire, uot notched. 
Parrots are monogamous, like the hawks, 
and nest in rocks or hollow trees. Our 
only parrot is the Carolina parroquet 
(Conurus Carolinensis Kuhl, Fig. 478), 
which is common in Florida. It for- 
merly extended to the Great Lakes and 
to New York, but is nearly exterminated. 
About three hundred and fifty species 
are scattered through tropical countries, 
Australia and South America being es- 
pecially favored by these gorgeous birds. 
The ground parrot of New Zealand does 
not fly, all the others being good fliers. 
‘Fig. 474 —Skull of Ge- Parrots live to the age of eighty years. 
cinus viridis L., showing % ‘ i 
the asymmetrical position .The Picarie, a somewhat miscella- 
Seay and thle extension neous group of birds, comprising the 
Eee fhe wight nasal woodpeckers, the cuckoos, and allies, 
Cae eovertorLaiant, #nd the swifts and humming-birds, con- 
nect the preceding groups with the Pas- 
serine or singing birds. From the latter the Picarie com- 
monly differ in the form of the sternum, in the less 
developed vocal apparatus, there being no more than three 
pairs of separate muscles, so that the birds are not musical ; 
as well as in the nature of the toes and wing and tail 
feathers. 
The woodpeckers usually have pointed, stiff tail-feathers, 
