OF PARROTS. 41 



farinaceous powder ; and the skin, in the division 

 called Microglossus, is coloured ; while in other 

 divisions the space round the eye is more or 

 less devoid of feathers, and covered with farina. 

 This farina appears produced by the epidermis, 

 and invests the whole surface of the skin in many 

 species ; and may be seen in considerable quantities 

 emanating from the birds when they shake their 

 feathers. 



The neck of the Parrots is rather short than 

 otherwise, and somewhat thick, but is capable of 

 elongation to a certain extent. 



Parrots are formed, in an eminent degree, for 

 climbing. Not only does their general conformation 

 indicate this, but the strength and arrangement of 

 their toes distinctly prove it. They walk but 

 slowly on the ground, and in a very awkward 

 manner, from the vacillating swing of their body, 

 occasioned by the shortness and wide separation 

 of their legs. In eating they make great use of 

 their feet, with which they perform the office of 

 hands, holding their food firmly with the claws of 

 one foot, while they support themselves on the 

 other. They do not present their food to their 

 bills in the ordinary manner, — for other animals 

 turn their meat inwards, to the mouth ; but these, 

 in a seemingly awkward position, turn their food 

 outwards. They hold the hardest nuts as if in 

 one hand, till with tlicir bills they break the shell, 

 ; i extract the kernel. 



Although short and clumsy legs are a general 

 D 2 



