294 
THE LIVING WORLD. 
cockatoo is, however, most distinct, and the two are therefore inseparable irr 
the proper arrangement of species. 
The most marked distinguishing features of both parrot and cockatoo are 
the large and strong beak, the upper mandible being sharply curved and 
hanging over the lower, but the lower jaw is extensible so as to permit the 
sharp points of the two bills to be brought together. The tongue is short and 
thick, free at the anterior end and capable of articulation. The claws have 
four toes, usually short and very muscular, which serve the double purpose of 
grasping a perch and conveying food to the mouth, in which latter service the 
claws perform the services of a hand. The power of flight is rarely great, and 
some species spend most of their time on the ground. The smallest of the 
parrot species are called parrakeets , a diminutive expression for parrot. 
Warbling Parrakeet (. Melopsittacus undulatus) is the name of the most 
beautiful of the species, and betrays such affection for its 
mate that it is often called love-bird. It is a native of 
Australia, but such large numbers are imported to 
America that the species is quite common among us. 
In the regions of New South Wales the bird goes 
in large flocks, and feeds off the grasses which cover 
the inland plains. Its nest is made in the hollows of 
dead trees, where it deposits four eggs, laying only 
on alternate days, and hatching its brood in about three 
weeks. The sounds it emits are variable, so much so 
that it may be said to have considerable powers of imi¬ 
tation. The more usual sound it produces is a low 
warble, which the male may often be seen producing 
in the very ear of his mate, as if she should have the 
full benefit of his vocal accomplishment. The color is 
green striped with black. 
The Blue-banded Parrakeet (. Euphema chrysostoma) 
is also a habitant of Australia, but in the fall migrates 
to Van Diemen’s Land to pass the winter. It spends 
much of its time on the ground, where it is a swift 
runner. It nests in a hole of some dead tree and lays 
six or seven eggs. The body is green washed with 
brown, and the head is a beautiful azure, with yellow 
around the eyes. 
The Scaly-breasted Parrakeet ( Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus) , or hairy- 
tongued tori, is peculiar to New South Wales, where it is very plentiful. It is 
the largest of the species, but feeds chiefly off the nectar of flowers, a dainty 
diet for such a large and vigorous bird. They seem to possess the power to 
distil honey, for when killed in their native haunts their crops are sure to be 
filled with this sweet, so that the people take the birds for the honey 
they yield. This species is easily tamed, and will thrive on a diet of sugar 
and seeds. They go together in immense flocks, sometimes settling on trees in 
such vast numbers as to break down the branches. The color is a rich 
green on the back, and the breast a light yellow with green edges, giving 
an appearance qf scales. 
The Ground Parrakeet ( Pezophorus formosus) is a beautiful little creature 
WARBLING PARRAKEET. 
