57 
PSITTACUS. 
X 
The bill hooked; the upper mandible moveable , and 
furnished with mere. The nostrils at the base 
of the bill ; the tongue fleshy, obtuse , and in- 
tire ; the feet formed for climbing. 
PARROT. 
♦ 
V ^ 
This very numerous genus, which contains upwards of 
140 species, is peculiar to the warm regions of both 
worlds. Though, in the figure of the bill, the birds of 
this genus exceedingly resemble the Accipitres ; in their 
manners, they perfectly agree with the other genera of 
this order. They feed on the seeds and fruits of various 
plants; they are very docile, and by means of their ob- 
tuse tongue, as Pliny remarks, are able to imitate human 
speech $ they lift their food to their mouth ; with their 
feet they climb easily, assisting themselves, for that 
purpose, with their bill ; and are among birds, what apes 
are among the mamalia. They associate in pairs ; the 
male and female alternately sit upon the eggs ; they attain 
the age of 130 years and upwards. In Europe, they 
sometimes lay eggs, but seldom sit on them. Some spe- 
oies are as large as a domestic fowl, while others are no 
