40 
Synopsis of the Birds 
TRIBE I SCANSOR ES. 
Zygodactyly Vieill. Order Scansores , 111. Cuv. Ranz . 1 Lair, 
Order Zygodactyli, Temm. 
Toes two before and two behind ; inner hind toe rarely 
wanting. 
FAMILY III. PSITTACINI. 
Psittacini , 111. Vieill. Latr. Antilambani , Ranz. 
Order Brehensores. Blainville. 
Bill short, large, extremely hard and robust, very high, 
somewhat compressed, convex above and below, with a cere at 
base ; both mandibles moveable ; upper curved from the 
base, hooked at tip, margins angular ; lower shorter, recurved 
at tip, truncate : nostrils basal, orbicular, perforated in the 
cere, open : tongue fleshy, thick, entire, rounded at tip, 
sometimes penicillated. Feet short, robust; tarsus naked, 
reticulated, shorter than the outer toe ; fore toes united at 
base, opposable to the hind ones ; outer hind toe not versa- 
tile; sole broad and flat; nails incurved, rather large and 
acute. Wings large; three outer primaries subequal. Tail 
of twelve feathers, more or less rounded. 
Female generally similar to the male. Young differing 
greatly from the adult, and changing repeatedly before at- 
taining their full plumage. Colours brilliant. 
Dwell in forests; noisy, more particularly at the rising and 
setting of the sun. Climb by means of the bill and feet ; and in 
some species with the assistance of the tail. From the con- 
formation of the feet they supply the place of hands. Feed 
on fruits and seeds, breaking the hardest pericarps with their 
powerful bill. Build in cavities of trees ; some in the bifur- 
cation of large limbs ; lay from two to four eggs twice a 
year. Macerate the food for their young. Easily tamed ; 
omnivorous in captivity ; some learn with facility to ar- 
ticulate many words. Analogous to the mammiferous family 
Bimia? : oughtperhaps to be placed at the head of the feathered 
