PAREOTS. 
i 
rality of Parrots are unable to walk Avitli ease upon 
the gToimcl. Some species there are which live habitu- 
ally upon the ground, but these have much less motion 
of the joints at the articulation of the tarsus with the 
toes than is prevalent amongst the climbing Parrots. 
The tarsi of the ground Parrots are much longer in 
proportion, and the articulations of the toes are alto- 
gether firmer, so that some of the species can run 
upon the ground with a facility approaching to that of 
the gallinaceous tribes. 
lu the variety of their colours, few birds equal the 
Parrots ; their plumage is generally of remarkable 
brilliancy and splendour. It is firm in its texture and 
not easily ruffied, qualities essentially requisite, con- 
sidering the nature of their haunts. Their wings are 
powerful, though not altogether adapted to keep the 
bird in the air for any length of time. The feathers 
are not so constructed as to talte hold on the air, like 
those of the long-fiying birds. The tail varies in 
length and shape, but it is generally lengthened and 
wedge-shaped. Although in a state of nature they 
are wild birds, and are of little use to man, yet they are 
susceptible of being tamed, and, with proper treatment, 
may be kept in confinement for many years, when 
they show a very considerable degree of attachment 
to those who feed and are otherwise kind to them. 
Owing to the very great difficulty of approaching 
their haunts, but very little is known of the Parrot in 
a state of nature. It is known, however, that they 
inhabit forests ; that many of them are social birds, 
often rising from the trees in large ffocks, and laying 
the cultivated fields under pretty severe contributions ; 
