PARROTS. 



Psittacidse. 



m . 



lORE THAN four hundred species (430) of Parrots are known to 

 science. These have been arranged by ornithologists in nine families 

 and forty-five genera. In Dr. Anton Reichenow's exquisite work, 

 -» "Vogelbilder aus femen Zonen,"* two hundred and fifty species are 

 figured on thirty-three plates, all painted by the late artist Gustav 

 Miitzel, after live specimens kept in confinement. The Parrots are mostly 

 inhabitants of the tropics, though many extend beyond the torrid zone. 

 Our Carolina Paroquet reaches farthest north, while in the Australasian 

 region some species extend to New Zealand, Aukland, and the Macquarie 

 Islands (55° S.). It has been stated that the American continent is richest 

 in species, but, according to Dr. Reichenow's list, America contains one 

 hundred and twenty-six species, while the Australasian region (south and 

 east of Wallace's line) afibrds a home for nearly one hundred and fifty 

 forms. Most of the Parrots have a brilliant and strikingly beautiful plumage. In size 

 they show a considerable variation, some (for instance the Inseparables) being scarcely 

 larger than a Sparrow, while the Macaws of South America are three feet long. Parrots, 

 as a rule, are very sociable birds, living together in large flocks in forests, others in 

 grassy plains. Their food consists mostly of seeds and fruits. Their voice is loud, harsh, 

 and discordant, but many species possess a great imitative power, learning not only to 

 repeat human words and sentences, but also songs, and other voices. Most of the species 

 are highly valued as cage birds. 



The Carolina Paroquet belongs to the 



Genus Conoras Kuhl. 



• Vogelbilder aus fernen Zonen. Die Papageien. Von Anton Keicbenow. Cassel. Theodor Fischer. 



