PEZOPORINiE. 
Pezoporus Illig * 
Bill moderate, with the culmen and the lateral margins arched to the tip, which is acute and entire ; 
the gonys broad, keeled, and curved upwards ; the nostrils basal, lateral, and placed in a broad rounded 
cere near the culmen. Wings moderate, with the first quill nearly the length of the second and third, 
which are the longest. Tail lengthened, cuneated, and slender, with the ends of the feathers gradually 
narrowed and acute. Tarsi nearly as long as the middle toe, slender, and covered with minute scales. 
Toes long and slender ; the claws very long, slightly curved, and acute. 
The type of this genus is only found in Australia, where it inhabits the shrubby or bushy places. It is usually 
seen, says Mr. Caley, on the ground, searching for the seeds of the grasses on which it subsists. When surprised it 
takes a short flight, and again alights on the ground among the bushes. 
P. formosus (Lath.) HI. — Psittacus terrestris Shaw, Zool. of N. Holl. pi. 3., Lev. Mus. pi. 55., Nat. Misc. pi. 228., Le Vaill. Petr- 
t. 32., Nat. Libr. Parr. pi. 29- 
Pal.eornis Vigors, f 
Bill large, with the culmen much arched to the tip, which is acute, and the sides compressed towards 
the culmen, the upper mandible small, scarcely deeper than long, with the gonys broad and keeled ; the 
nostrils basal, lateral, rounded, and placed in a narrow cere. Wings moderate, with the first quill 
rather shorter than the second, which is the longest. Tail lengthened and graduated, with the two 
middle feathers very long, attenuated, and the ends rounded. Tarsi very short, strong, and covered 
with small scales. Toes moderate, much padded beneath, the outer anterior toe the longest ; the 
claws moderate, compressed, and arched. 
These birds are most numerous in India and its archipelago ; one species is found in Australia. They frequent the 
jungles, cultivated ground, and gardens, committing great destruction on various kinds of grains and fruits. On their 
food becoming scarce they seek a fresh locality. During these migrations they generally keep close to the tops of the 
large trees, and on discovering food take a short circle round the tree, with a steady sailing flight, and alighting on the 
branches speedily commence their attack on the fruits. They fly with rapidity, and generally keep up a loud whistling 
note at the same time. The female lays three or four eggs in holes of trees. 
1. P. Alexandri (Linn.) Vigors, Edwards’s Birds, pi. 292., 
Sonn. Voy. t. 43. — Psittacus guianensis Scop. ; P. Sonneratii Gmel. 
Nat. Libr. Parr. pi. 2., PI. enl. 642., Le Vaill. Perr. t. 30., PI. enl. 
239-; Ps. Eupatria Gmel. Le Vaill. Perr. t. 73. ; Palseornis nipa- 
lensis Hodgs. 
2. P. cucullatus Vigors, Lear’s Parr. pi. 32. 
3. P. torquatus (Briss.) Vigors, PI. enl. 215. — Psittacus eques 
Bodd. Le Vaill. Perr. t. 39- 1 Psittacus bicollaris Vieill. ; P. bitor- 
quatus Kuhl, PI. enl. 551. ; P. semirostris Herm. Le Vaill. I’ err ' t- 
25. ; P. manillensis Bechst. ; P. frenatus III. ; P. docilis VieW- 
Edwards’s Birds, pi. 175. , P. rufirostris Gmel. PI. enl. 550., be 
Vaill. Perr. t. 23. 42, 43.; Pabeornis cubicularis Wagl. Lear’s Pam 
pi. 33. ; P. melanorhynchus Sykes. 
4. P . borneus Wagl. Albin’s Birds, ii. pi. 18. — Psittacus Ale*' 
andri Linn. ? 
5. P. bengalensis (Linn.) Edwards’s Birds, pi. 233., Sonn. Voy- 
* Established by Illiger in 1811 {Prodr. Mamm. et Av. p. 201.). 
t The late Mr. Vigors established this genus in 1825 {Zoological Journal, 1825, p. 46.). It includes Polytelis of Wagler (1830) aul 
Psittinus of Mr. Blyth (1842). 
