ORDER OF G ALLINACE.^.. 75 



and sometimes shorter ; they have a moderate beak, and the face 

 is ordinarily feathered. 



26. [The Carolina Parrot, — Psittacus carolinensts, — is green; 

 the head and neck yellow ; forehead and cheeks orange ; tail 

 elongated. Of the more than two hundred known species of 

 this brilliant genus, it is the only one, found inhabiting the United 

 States. It is rarely met with north of Virginia.] 



27. The Parrots properly so called, have a short, square tail, 

 a stout and strongly hooked beak, the face feathered, a large 

 head, and a stout body. They all inhabit the torrid zone. 



28. The Gray Parrot, or Jacu, — PsittacuR crythacus, — is 

 entirely ash-colour with a red tail. It is originally from Africa, 

 and is much prized on account of its gentleness, its attachment 

 to its master, and the facility with which it learns to speak. 



29. The name of Amazonian Parrots is given to those that 

 are very large, with a stout body and green plumage. 



30. The Cockatoos, have the head ornamented with a tuft of 

 feathers. {Plate 4, fig. 8.) The plumage of the greater number 

 is white, and of all the various species, they are the most docile. 



LESSON VI. 



Order of Gallinace.e. — Zoological Characters. — Habits. — 

 Hoccos. — Peacocks, {Common Peacock.) — Turkey. — Guinea' 

 fowl. — Genus of Pheasants, {The Common Cock, Common 

 Pheasant, Golden Pheasant.) — Genus of Grouse, {The Great 

 Heath-cock, Partridge, Quail. — Germs of Pigeons. — Habits. — - 

 Carrier Pigeons, 



ORDER OF GALLINACE^. 



1. The Order of Gallinaceae comprises : Those terrestrial birds 

 which have a short or moderate beak, vaulted above ; the nostrils 

 pierced through a membranous space, and covered by a cartila- 

 ginous scale, the body heavy, and the wings, in general, short. 



2. These birds are essentially granivorous, and are provided 

 with a veiy strong muscular gizzard ; they delight in seeking 

 their food on the ground amidst dust. Their sternum is weakened 

 by two large notches which occupy its posterior part on each 

 side; their inferior larynx is very simple, and not one of them 

 sings agreeably. 



26. Wliat is the Carolina Parrot? 



27. How are Parrots properly so called, distinguished ? 



28. For what is the Gray Parrot esteemed ? 



29. What are Amazonian Parrots? 



30. What are Cockatoos ? 



1. What birds are comprised in the Order of Gallinaceae ? 



2. What are the general characters of the Gallinaceae ? 



