OF PARROTS. 



53 



which is ftirnished with three muscles peculiar in 

 their form, which, united to the mobile properties 

 of the tongue, appears to fit these birds, in an 

 eminent degree, for imitating the human voice. 

 The gizzard, in its formation, is like that of 

 granivorous and fragivorous birds. They have very- 

 long intestines, and are not provided with any 

 coecum ; the liver is of medium size, divided into 

 two nearly equal lobes. The heart is moderately 

 large, with an obtusely rounded end. The spleen 

 is small and round. 



Parrots are subject to the same diseases as other 

 birds ; and they have one or two peculiar to their 

 kind. They are sometimes struck by a kind of 

 apoplectic blow, by which they fall from their 

 perches, and for a while seem ready to expire. 

 Bleeding in the foot is recommended as a remedy 

 for this. The Maccaws seem to be more subject to 

 this complaint than any others of their congeners. 

 Many are also subject to gout, or a disease nearly 

 resembling it. They are also liable to cramp ; 

 more especially when allowed to perch on metal, 

 which is but too frequently the case, in consequence 

 of their destructive propensities. They should 

 always have a wooden perch, as metals, being greater 

 conductors of caloric than wood, the heat is 

 abstracted from their feet and legs, and produces 

 cramp. To those who object to the frequent 

 renewal of fir perches, we would recommend highly 

 polished liard wood, such as beech or mahogany, 



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