50 



PHYSICAL CHARACTERS 



on this interesting subject have been attended with 

 the most favourable results. And we have little 

 doubt but that we may be able to supply our aviaries 

 by naturalized specimens of the numerous birds of 

 the interesting family of Parrots, which are brought 

 to our country. 



In a wild state, Parrots feed principally on the 

 pulps of fruit ; those of the banana, the coffee-tree, 

 the lemon, and palm, are their especial favourites. 

 They are particularly fond of almonds ; and pene- 

 trate the pulp only that they may get to the kernel. 

 They shew great dexterity in opening the shell, 

 which they do by placing the separation of the 

 valves in a line with the cutting edge of their uppw* 

 mandible ; and by the strong pressure which they 

 apply, soon separate the valves, which they adroitly 

 reject, and devour the almond itself. 



Some of the New South Wales Cockatoos feed OU' 

 roots, and others on herbs. The favourite food of 

 the Carolina Parrot is the cockle-bur ; while, in 

 South America, they feed on the guava, the acajou, 

 and the berries of many species of aromatic plants. 



In a domesticated condition, the whole family of \ 

 Parrots will eat almost any kind of food ; bread, | 

 biscuit, and potatoes are much relished by some of j 

 the species. They are also partial to seeds, and i 

 thrive well on hemp-seed, from which they remove I 

 the husks with great facility ; but the oil which 

 these seeds contain is of so penetrating a nature, 

 that it communicates a strong and rather disagreeable | 

 odour to their plumage. They will, also, take ] 



