AVES. 363 
black-headed parrot, P. melanocephalus (pl. 97, fig. 5), is a very fine 
Indian species. There are many other birds belonging to this group. 
Sub-fam. 5. Cacatuine, or Cockatoos. Bill large, but generally short 
and very strong; wings generally long; tail long, broad, usually truncate ; 
tarsi short and strong. Size mostly large ; colors plain. 
This group contains about thirty species, which are restricted to Aus- 
tralia and some of the Indian islands. Many of these birds are large 
species with pure white plumage and handsome crests, which they can 
erect at pleasure. These crests are sometimes very finely colored, as in 
the yellow-crested cockatoo, Cacatua sulphurea (pl. 97, fig. 1), and the 
citron-crested (C. citrino-cristata) and others. 
There is another genus of this sub-family which have nearly black 
plumage. with their tails frequently variegated with red and yellow, such 
as Banks’s cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii), and Cook’s parrot (C. 
cookit), and others. These are large birds, represented by travellers as 
being very common and noisy in the forests of Australia. 
Fam. 3. Picto#, orn Wooprecxers. A family of about two hundred and 
fifty birds, which are scattered over the surface of the whole world. They 
are readily recognised by their straight bills and erect position when 
perched. 
Sub-fam. 1. Capitonine, or Barbets. Bill large, broad at base. which is 
usually furnished with bristles ; wings moderate, rather short ; tail generally 
short; tarsi and feet short, strong. 
The birds of this sub-family are abundant in ali tropical countries. They 
feed on fruits and insects, and make nests in hollow trees or in holes like 
the woodpeckers. The grooved-bill barbet, Pogonias sulcirastris (pl. 97, 
jig. 11), is an African species ; the green and orange barbet, Capito viri- 
diaurantius (pl. 97, fig. 10), is a native of India. 
Sub-fam. 2. Picine, or typical Woodpeckers. Bill rather long, straight, 
broad at base, upper mandible with a lateral ridge; wings generally short ; 
tail lengthened, with the feathers pointed ; tarsi short, strong; toes long. 
Size generally small; colors mostly black and white. 
The most numerous of all groups of woodpeckers, and comprises birds of 
all countries. The American species of this sub-family are commonly 
known by the name of sapsuckers; the red-headed woodpecker, which 
belongs to another sub-family, being the only species called by the name of 
woodpecker in the United States. 
The hairy woodpecker (Picus villosus), the downy woodpecker (P. 
pubescens), and the yellow-bellied woodpecker (P. varius), are the most 
common species, though there are several others. They are very active 
and harmless little birds, always seen in pursuit of insects on the trunks and 
branches of trees. 
There are three common European species, known as Picus major 
(pl. 98, fig. 8), P. medius, and P. minor. Many others are natives of 
Asia and Africa, all of which partake of the same general habits and 
appearance as those of America. The Cayenne woodpecker, P. cayen- 
nensis (pl. 98, fig. 6), is a common South American species. 
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