190 
platycerciNjE. 
approach is shown in several species. Thus, it is 
strongly indicated by the resemblance the Palceor, 
Barrabandi, an Australian species, which stands 
upon the confines of the group, bears to some of the 
less typical Broad-tails, in which that member in 
part loses its broad and depressed form. It is also 
visible in the wings and tail of that lovely species, 
the Nan odes discolor, in which the second, third, and 
fourth quills lose the distinct emargination of the outer 
web, and the two middle tail-feathers assume, in a 
great measure, the shape of those peculiar to the Rbig- 
Parrakeets. The connection of the present with the 
preceding subfamily is supported by some of the Lories, 
in which the bill is comparatively strong, and the tongue 
loses in part its peculiar structure, and its approach 
to the short and even-tailed Parrots is shewn in the 
wide and slightly graduated tail of Platycercus sca- 
pulatus, as well as in the Madagascar species Psitt- 
niger and mascarinus. The members of this fa- 
mily are distinguished from the rest of the Psitta- 
cidcB, by their slender and elevated tarsi, and the 
less falcated form of their claws. Their wings also 
are shorter, and rounded, the first quill-feather be- 
ing inferior to some of the succeeding ones. In 
consequence of this formation, their habits are less 
strictly scansorial than those of the typical Parrots; 
but the deficiency is amply compensated by the ease 
and agility with which they move upon the ground, 
where their actions partake in a great measure of 
that freedom which distinguishes so many of the 
