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FAMILY XXVIII. — PSITTACINiE. PARROTS. 
Bill short, bulging, very strong, deeper than broad, convex above and 
below ; upper mandible cerate at the base, its outline decurved, the sides 
convex, the edges sharp, with an angular process, the tip trigonal, decurved, 
elongated, acute ; lower mandible with the angle short and wide, the tip 
thin-edged, rounded or abrupt. Nostrils basal, round, open, in the cere. 
Head very large ; neck of moderate length ; body compact. Feet short and 
robust ; tarsus short, scaly ; toes stout, the outer directed backwards, the 
third and fourth coherent at the base. Claws stout, curved, acute. Plumage 
generally blended, but firm. Wings and tail various. Tongue short, fleshy, 
rounded, or emarginate ; oesophagus wide, with a large crop ; stomach 
small, muscular ; intestine of moderate length ; coeca small ; cloaca globular. 
• Genus I.— CENTURUS, Kuhl. PARAKEET. 
Bill short, very strong, bulging ; upper mandible with the dorsal line 
decurved, the sides convex, the edges ascending at the base, then direct, 
with a deep notch, the tip decurved, acute ; lower mandible very deep at 
the base, with the dorsal line convex and ascending, the tip sharp-edged 
and truncate. The nostrils basal, round. Feet short, stout ; tarsus very 
short ; toes of moderate length, stout ; claws strong, curved, acute. 
Plumage blended, compact on the wings, which are long and pointed, with 
the second quill longest. Tail long, cuneate. 
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