There is not in the whole class of birds a more 
remarkable group than that which now claims our 
attention. Whether we regard the singularity of the 
liabits of some, the gorgeousness and extreme variety 
of their colours, their clamorous chattering and 
screamiug, their mischievous propensities, their dex- 
terity in climbing amongst the branches of trees, or 
the intelligence that is apparent in the expression of 
their eye, we are amazed at their peculiarities, and 
can only compare them to the monkey tribe amongst 
the Mammalia, whose representatives they appear to 
be among the feathered race. 
The JPsittacidce are an exceedingly numerous 
family. • The greater part of them are forest birds, 
living upon the produce of the trees, though some 
of them are altogether ground birds, and find tlieir 
food there. They are principally inhabitants of tliose 
countries that lie within the tropics, and are almost 
exclusively vegetable-feeders, the kernels' of fruits 
and the buds of flowers of trees being the -chief 
sources on which they depend for their nourishment ; 
they could not therefore subsist in those ‘countries 
where for several months in the year the trees are 
devoid both of leaves and fruit. The luxuriance of 
vegetation in tropical countries is very great, and 
there is a constant succession of food for the Parrots ; 
but should this fail in one district, they are am})!}' 
