Parrots

Natural History of the Parrots, or Family Psittacidæ

In presenting to our readers a volume containing the natural history of the Parrots, or family Psittacidæ we have to direct their attention to an assemblage of birds, not less remarkable for the peculiarity of their form, the gay, varied, and in many instances, splendid plumage in which they are attired, than for the intelligence and docility so many evince in a state of captivity or domestication, and the peculiar facility possessed by several species of imitating the intonations of the human voice, and learning by rote words, and even sentences, which they remember and repeat with clearness and precision; a faculty, it may be remarked, confined to these birds, and to some few of the Sturnidæ and Corvidæ members of the Conirostral Tribe,—another primary division of the Typical Order Incessores.

According to the natural system, or that founded upon the affinities which connect the various members of the feathered race, and which has been so ably illustrated and confirmed by the writings of Vigors, Swainson, and other eminent ornithologists of our own country, the Psittacidæ, or family of the Parrots, belong to the order Insessores, and to that primary division which has been named Scansores, in accordance with the climbing and prehensile powers of its typical members. In this Tribe or Division, it forms one of the five circular groups or families into which it primarily resolves itself, the other four being represented by the Picidæ or Woodpeckers; the Ramphastidæ, or Toucans; the Cuculidæ, or Cuckoos; and the Certhiadæ, or Creepers. In its own tribe, it constitutes one of the typical, or, according to Mr Swainson’s views, the sub-typical group, as it possesses powers of grasping and climbing superior to those of three of the above or Aberrant Groups, and inferior in some respects only to those of the eminently typical Picidæ. To any objection that the station thus assigned to this remarkable family is at present rather assumed than borne out by facts, or proved by direct affinity, it may be observed, that although its connexion with the other groups of the tribe is not of so close or direct a nature as might be wished for, in consequence of some of the links necessary to complete the chain of affinity being deficient or unknown; still its general agreements in form and habits are sufficiently prominent to shew that its relationship to the other scansorial groups is of a degree much nearer than what it hears to any other tribe; and farther, that its apparent isolation, or want of a still closer connexion with the birds among which it is placed, in all probability arises, merely from the circumstance that the species necessary to fill up this chasm of deficiency of connecting forms, though existing, remain yet to be discovered either in it or the conterminous families of the tribe. Previous to the enlightened and philosophic views of recent naturalists respecting systematic arrangement, and the discovery that all natural groups, of whatever value or extent they may be, arrange themselves in a circular form, or shew a disposition to return into themselves, the parrots, under the Linnæan and other artificial systems, were considered as forming a single isolated genus, under the title of Psittacus, the various modifications of form they exhibited being only considered in the light of specific characters, or at most used for arbitrary sectional division. A comparison, however, of the parrots with other extensive groups, and a due consideration of the great diversity of form, as well as of habits and manners, observed to prevail among them, plainly shews that they are entitled to a rank much higher or more comprehensive than that of Genus, which, according to the now generally received acceptation of the term, is used to designate one of the lowest assemblages of individuals or species. In consequence, the Linnæan genus, Psittacus, has taken a higher rank in the natural system, and has been placed upon an equality with groups of a similar value, under the denomination of Family, subordinate to which are other less comprehensive circles or assemblages of species, the next in extent being that of Sub-family. Of groups of the latter denomination, the five following have been indicated by Mr Swainson, whose views in this primary division of the family we are inclined to prefer to that formerly proposed by Mr Vigors, in the second volume of the Zoological Journal, as being more in accordance with the natural affinities, structure, and economy of the species; and though a stricter examination and analysis is still required to ascertain the precise situation of species whose history is but little known, we have sufficient to mark the properties and peculiarities which distinguish these primary groups.

The first is that of Macrocercina, and is composed of the splendidly attired Maccaws, all of which are confined to America, as well as the nearly allied forms now distinguished by the generic titles of Arara, Aratinga, and Psittacara. In this division also we place a group of Birds belonging to the ancient Continent, viz. the genus Palæornis, Vigors. Instead of considering it, as he does, the type of a subfamily, this division constitutes one of the normal, or, according to Mr Swainson, the subtypical group of the family, and is analogous to the dentirostral tribe of the Insessores, and consequently, in its own circle, is the representative of the Raptorial Order.

The second sub family is that of Psitticina, represented by the short and even-tailed species usually called par excellence Parrots; they are found distributed throughout all the divisions of the globe within the tropics. This is the typical group of the Psittacidæ, and is analogous to the conirostral tribe of the Insessores.

The third is called Plyctolophina, or Cockatoo Division, containing the birds familiarly known by that name, as well as the Black, and other nearly allied species. They are natives of India, its islands, and Australia. These represent the Scansores, and consequently the Rasorial Order, in their own family.

The fourth is named Loriana, from a group of parrots generally known by the name of Lories, natives of India and its islands. It also contains the numerous members of the genus Trichoglossus, Vigors, and several other generic forms belonging to Australia, all of which are distinguished from the rest of the Psittacidæ by their comparatively slender bill and papillose tongue. This division beautifully represents the Tenuirostres, and is the Grallatorial group of the Psittacidæ.

The fifth is that of the Broad-tails, or sub-family Platycercina, composed of the beautiful genus Platycercus, Vigors, and of the other ground or slender-legged parrots of Australia. In it we are also inclined to place the black parrots of Madagascar, known by the name of Vasa. This division is considered as analogous to the fissirostral tribe of the Insessores.

By Buffon, and other naturalists of an early date, the geographical distribution of the parrots was supposed to be confined to the sultry climates within the Tropics. The discoveries made during the various scientific voyages which have since explored the globe, and the keen research that of late years has been instituted in pursuit of objects of natural history, have, however, shewn that it is much wider in extent, particularly in the southern hemisphere, where species have been found in latitudes as high as 50°, examples having been discovered and brought from the Straits of Magellan. In the northern hemisphere, the limit appears to be more restricted, as the Carolina parrakeet of North America, and some few African species, are seldom seen beyond the 32d or 33d degrees. The Equatorial Regions must, however, be considered the metropolis of the family, as it is in them that the greatest variety of genera are met with, the species which inhabit the higher or colder latitudes, though numerous, belonging to a very limited number of generic forms. In the majority of this family, we find a plumage which, for richness and variety of colour, yields to few of the feathered race; and though, like the tulip among flowers, it may by some be thought gaudy, and composed of colours too violently and abruptly contrasted to give that satisfaction to the eye which a more chastened, or rather a less abrupt, intermixture of tints is wont to produce, still we think no one can examine or look at some of the gorgeously decked Maccaws, the splendid and effulgent Lories, or the diversified tints of the Australian Parrakeets, without acknowledging them to be among the most beautiful and striking of the feathered race.

In the first, second, and fifth subfamilies, the ground or prevailing colour is green, generally of a lively tint, and varying from grass to sap and emerald-green, as expressed in Syme’s Nomenclature of Colours. Upon this groundwork, patches of almost every known or possible hue are to be found in one or other of the species. In the subfamily Plyctolophnia alone we meet with a more uniform and plain attire, the true cockatoos being white, or white tinged more or less with rosy red or pale yellow. The other forms in this group are black or greenish-black, sometimes relieved with large masses of red or yellow upon the tail. In texture the plumage maybe called firm, close, and adpressed, in some species even assuming a scaled or titled appearance. The general form of the Psittacidæ maybe stated as short, strong, and compact, but as deficient in elegance, in the short and even-tailed species, in which the great bulk of the head and bill seems disproportioned to the rest of the body. In the parrakeets, this disproportion is done away with, or at least in a great degree counteracted by the elongation of the tail, and many of them exhibit an elegance of form and grace fulness of carriage surpassed by few other birds The formation of the feet, which are zygodactile, or with the toes placed two forwards and two backwards, and, in all but the few aberrant species previously adverted to, expressly adapted and formed for firm prehension and climbing, evidently points to woods and forests as the appropriate and natural habitats of the race. It is accordingly in those regions where the trees are clothed in perpetual verdure, and where a constant and never failing succession of fruits and seeds (the common food and support of the tribe) can always be procured, that the parrots are found in the greatest numbers and profusion. Thus the recesses of the interminable forests of South America are enlivened by the presence of the superb Maccaws, and the nearly allied species of the genus Psittacara; those of India and its islands by the elegantly-shaped members of the genus Palæornis, and the scarlet-clothed Lories; while those of Australia resound with the harsh voice of the Cockatoos, and the shriller screams of the nectivorous Trichoglossi, and broad-tailed Parrakeets or Platycerci. In these their natural situations, their movements are marked by an ease and gracefulness we can never see exhibited in a state of confinement. They are represented as climbing about the branches in every direction, and as suspending themselves from them in every possible attitude; in all which movements they are greatly assisted by their hooked and powerful bill, which is used, like the foot, as an organ of prehension and support. The pointed and ample wing, which we perceive to prevail among the parrots, indicates a corresponding power of flight; and accordingly we learn from those who have enjoyed the enviable opportunity of seeing and studying them in their native wilds, that it is rapid, elegant, and vigorous, capable of being long sustained, and that many of the species are in the habit of describing circles and other aerial evolutions, previous to their alighting upon the trees which contain their food. Thus Audubon, in his account of the Carolina Parrakeet, says,

Their flight is rapid, straight, and continued through the forests, or over fields and rivers, and is accompanied by inclinations of the body, which enable the observer to see alternately their upper and under parts. They deviate from a direct course only when impediments occur, such as trunks of trees or houses, in which case they glance aside in a very graceful manner, as much as may be necessary. A general cry is kept up by the party, and it is seldom that one of these birds is on wing for ever so short a space, without uttering its cry. On reaching a spot which affords a supply of food, instead of alighting at once, as many birds do, the parakeets take a good survey of the neighbourhood, passing over it in circles of great extent, first above the trees, and then gradually lowering, until they almost touch the ground, when, suddenly reascending, they all settle on the tree that bears the fruit of which they are in quest, or on one close to the field in which they expect to regale themselves.

Many of the species are gregarious, and except during the breeding season, are always seen in large and numerous bodies; others, as the black cockatoos, are met with in pairs or families. The places selected for hatching their eggs, and rearing their young, are the hollows of decayed trees, they make little or no nest, but deposit their eggs, which, according to the species, vary from two to five or six in number, upon the bare rotten wood. In these hollows, it is said, they also frequently roost during the night, and such we learn is the practice of the bird previously mentioned, for the same author observes,

Their roosting place is in hollow trees, and the holes excavated by the larger species of Woodpeckers, as far as these can be filled by them. At dusk, a flock of parrakeets may be seen alighting against the think of a sycamore or any other tree, where a considerable excavation exists within it Immediately below the entrance, the birds all cling to the bark, and crawl into the hole to pass the night. When such a hole does not prove sufficient to hold the whole flock, those around the entrance hook themselves on by their claws and the tip of the upper mandible, and look as if hanging by the bill. I have,

he adds,

frequently seen them in such positions by means of a glass, and am satisfied that the bill is not the only support used in such cases.

The natural voice or notes of the tribe consist entirely of hoarse or shrill and piercing screams, with little or no modulation, and frequently reiterated during flight, as well as when otherwise engaged in feeding, bathing, or preserving their plumage. The power of imitating the human voice, and learning to articulate a variety of words and sentences, is not possessed by all the species, but is principally confined to the short and even-tailed parrots, in which the tongue is large, broad, and fleshy at the tip. In disposition, with the exception of one or two forms, they are quiet and docile, and easily reconciled to confinement, even when taken at an adult age. Their flesh is said to be tender and well flavoured, particularly that of the younger birds, and is frequently used as food in the districts they inhabit. The general characters of the family are—bill convex, large, deflected, thick, and strong. The upper mandible, overhanging the under, booked at the tip, and furnished with a small cere at the base, the under mandible thick, ascending, and forming when closed, an angle with the upper. Tongue thick, fleshy, and soft. Nostrils round, placed in the cere at the base of the bill. Feet scansorial, the external toes longer than the inner. In regard to their internal anatomy, we may here observe that the bill is furnished with additional and powerful muscles, and that the intestinal canal is of great length and destitute of cœca.

We shall now proceed to describe the examples selected to illustrate the different groups, making such farther observations as may be required upon the subfamilies and genera as they occur.

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We shall commence with the subfamily of the Macrocercinæ or Maccaws, which, in its own family, is analogous to the dentirostial tribe of the Insessores, and represents the subtypical group of the Psittacidæ. By Mr Vigors, in the view he has taken of the distribution of the Parrots, this subfamily is restricted to the Maccaws properly so called, a group arranging itself under one, or at most, two generic types, the other American long-tailed Parrots, as well as those belonging to the ancient world, being all included in another division to which he gave the name of Palæornina. To this distribution there are strong and manifold objections, uniting as it does in one great group, birds differing essentially in structure as well as habit, such as the Lories and other nectivorous Parrots, and those various genera which compose the Platycercine subfamily, which depart so far from the true scansorial species in their character and general habits. It is on this account, and as being more in accordance with the natural affinities of the race, that we have adopted the suggestions of Mr Swainson, in regard to the primary divisions of this family, though we must add, that much additional information is required to work out the details, and that there are many species whose exact station remains doubtful, and which further analysis and observation can alone satisfactorily resolve. In addition to the true Maccaws, the typical form of this subfamily, it appears naturally to embrace many of the other American long-tailed species, now divided into separate generic groups (except by Wagler, who retains the whole under the single genius Sittace), one of which has been characterized under the title of Psittacara, Vigors, answering nearly to the Peruche-Aras of the French ornithologists, the members of which are distinguished by having the orbits and face to a greater or less extent naked, as exhibited in the species selected for illustration. Another is composed of the species in which those parts are feathered, and for which the title of Aratinga has been proposed, though it is probable that a still further generic sub-division of this latter group will be required. In this division, also, we would place the long-tailed Parrots of the ancient world, forming the genus Palæornis, Vigors, a group whose history and distribution he has traced with such acumen and classic lore in the pages of the Zoological Journal. With this group we shall commence our illustrations, as it is through one of its members, the Palæornis Barrabandi, Vigors, that a connexion appears to be supported with the or broad-tailed division, which stands at the further extremity of the circle of the Psittacidæ. This bird, with the tail and general character of Palæornis, exhibiting a near approach in the proportions of its legs and feet to the genus Platycercus, Vigors, of whose region or metropolis it is also a native. The passage from the Ring-Parrakeets to the smaller American species, appears to be effected through those species in which the two central tail feathers begin to lose the peculiar character of the typical form, and the culmen of the bill assumes the ridged or triangulate shape that prevails in that American group of which Psitt. cruentatus, Temm., may be taken as an example; these are followed by the larger species, as Psitt. Carolinensis and Patachonica, which lead to the Maccaws by such members as have the cheeks partly feathered. Following the naked cheeked maccaws, we would place the true Psittacara, in which the orbits and part of the face is also naked, and the bill large and powerful, such as Psitt. acuticauda, nobilis, &c. The passage to the next subfamily, or Psitticina, seems to be through Psitt. macrorynchus (Tanygnathus macrorynchus, Wag.), and other species, in which the tail loses its elongate and graduated shape.

Genus Palæornis

The genus Palæornis, as characterized by Mr Vigors, is distinguished by having the bill thickish, with the upper mandible dilated, the culmen rounded, the tomia deeply toothed or emarginate, the inferior mandible wide, short, and emarginate. Tongue thick and smooth. Wings of mean length, the three first quills the longest, and nearly equal; exterior webs of the second, third, and fourth quills dilated near the middle, tapering towards the apex. Tail graduated with the two middle feathers slender, greatly exceeding the rest in length, with their tips rounded. Feet, the tarsi rather short, claws strong and falcate.

Mr Vigors observes,

The birds that compose this genus, are at first sight distinguished by their superior elegance and gracefulness of form. This character is considerably increased by the construction of the tail, the two middle feathers of which far exceed the rest in length.

The different species of Palæornis known to us, are inhabitants of continental India, its islands, and Africa, with the exception of the Palæ. Barrabandi, which is a native of Australia. They are held in high esteem for their beauty, as well as for their docility and imitative powers which seem equal, or but little inferior, to those of the short and even-tailed kinds.

Our first figure represents the

The next figure represents the typical species of this genus; it is the

Besides the three species here figured, ten or eleven more are described by Mr Vigors and Wagler; the latter, in his Monograph of the family, has bestowed much attention in collating the various synonyms of the species. According to his list, they consist of,—

1. Pal. Alexandri;
2. Pal. cubicularis, identical with the P. torquatus and bitorquatus of Vigors, and the young of which is supposed to be the Pal. inornatus of the same author;
3. Pal. Borneus, apparently referable to the P. erythrocephaius, Vig-ors;
4. Pal. melanorynchus, a species apparently hitherto confounded with the Pal. Pondicerianus, of authors, and not distinguished by Vigors;
5. Pal. Pondicerianus;
6. Pal. barbatus, by other writers a supposed variety of P. Pondicer., not distinguished as a species in Mr Vigors’s list;
7. Pal. Malaccensis;
8. Pal. Bengalensis;
9. Pal. cyanocephalus, the same as the P. flavitorquis of Vigors;
10. Pal. columboides, first described by Mr Vigors in the Zoological Journal;
11. Pal. inornatus, the Psittacus incarntus of authors, a bird whose station in this group, according to Wagler’s own account, appears very doubtful.

The engraving expresses so correctly the character and plumage of the bird, as to render it unnecessary to give a detailed description. We may mention, however, that the young bird is without the black and rosy coloured collar which distinguishes the adult, in which state it is known as the Psittacus eupatria of authors.

From the Ring-Parrakeets of Asia and Africa we now pass to the Long-tailed groups of South America, the great metropolis of the Macrocercine Division; for here ai e found not only the typical forms of the subfamily as exhibited in the large and splendid Maccaws, but other species more nearly connected in habit and appearance with the birds belonging to the ancient world. Among these may be particularized an extensive group, mostly consisting of birds of moderate size, in which the immediate orbits of the eyes alone are naked; these form a part of M. Spix’s genua Aratinga, and, as representatives of it, the Psittacus cruentaius, Temminck, and Psitt. leucotis, Lich., may be quoted. From this group we would separate several larger species, as Psitt. Carolinensis, Auctor, &c., under the name of Arara, Spix, reserving the title of Psittacara for another group, in which the bill is much larger, with the tip drawn to a fine point, and having the orbits and pa t of the face naked, characters which bring it in near connexion with the large bare-cheeked Maccaws. Of this group, the Psittacus nobilis, Linn., Psittacara frontata, Vig., an example. As the limits of the volume only permit of a certain number of illustrations, we have selected a species of the second or Arara genus, which, from its size and appearance, seems to lead directly to the genus Maciocercus; it is the

Carolina Arara

Arara Carolinensis.

Psittacus Carolinensis, Linn. Syst. 1. p. 141. 13.—Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. p. 93. sp. 33.—Chas. Buon. Syn. p. 41.—Sittace Ludoviciana, Wagler, in Abhand. &c. p. 656.—Carolina Parrot, Lath. Syn. 1. p. 227.—Wils. Amer. Orn. 3. p. 89. pl. 26, fig. 1.—Id. ed. Sir W. Jardine, 1. p. 376.—Audubon’s Birds of Amer. v. 1. p. 135. pl. 26.

The great body of the Psittacidæ, as already observed, are natives of the intertropical climates; but the species now under consideration is one of the few that occurs in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. It is a native of the North American continent, inhabiting the United Stares to a latitude as high as 42°. Such, at least, was the case some fifteen or twenty years ago, when Alexander Wilson was engaged in tracing out the history of the birds inhabiting the States; for we find, on turning to his delightful pages, that then it not only prevailed throughout Louisiana and the shores of the Mississippi and Ohio, but also those of their tributary waters as high as Lake Michigan, in lat. 42° N. We learn, however, from a living author,¹ scarcely less graphic or original in his descriptive powers, that of late years these birds have rapidly diminished in number, and that they are now almost banished from districts where formerly they used to abound. Speaking of twenty-five years ago,

At that period, they could be procured as far up the tributary waters of the Ohio as the great Kenhawa, the Scioto, the heads of the Miami, the mouth of the Manimee at its junction with Lake Erie, on the Illinois river, and sometimes as far north-east as Lake Ontario, and along the eastern districts as far as the boundary line between Virginia and Maryland. At the present day, few are to be found higher than Cincinnati, nor is it until you reach the mouth of the Ohio that parakeets are met with in considerable numbers. I should think that along the Mississippi there is not now half the number that existed fifteen years ago.

A rapidly increasing population, attended by an extended cultivation, and the consequent destruction of many of those ancient and decayed trees which constituted the dormitories and breeding sites of the species, as well as the war constantly waged against them by the husbandman, as the depredators of the orchard and corn-stacks, are probably the chief causes of their rapid diminution in those parts which they formerly enlivened with their gay and varied plumage. We learn from both authors, that, when engaged in feeding, they are easily approached, and numbers killed by one discharge, as the whole flock alight and feed close to each other. The work of destruction, moreover, is not confined to a single shot; for we are told, that

the survivors rise, shriek, fly round for a few minutes, and again alight on the very place of most imminent danger. The gun is kept at work; eight, ten, or even twenty are killed at every discharge, the living birds, as if conscious of the death of their companions, sweep over their bodies, screaming as loud as ever, but still return to the stack to be shot at, until so few remain alive, that the farmer does not consider it worth his while to spend more of his ammunition.

Injurious, however, as they no doubt frequently are to the cultivator, their principal food is said to be the Cockle-burr, the seed of the Zanthium strumarium, a plant that abounds throughout the rich alluvial lands of the States west of the Alleghany Mountains: it is a weed noxious to the husbandman on many accounts, and the consumption of its seed by the Parrots must therefore he of some advantage, though that is unfortunately for them greatly diminished, from the circumstance of its possessing a perennial root.

Like the rest of the group to which it belongs, the Carolina Arara appears incapable of learning to articulate words, though, when captured, it soon becomes tame, and will eat almost immediately afterwards. Wilson gives a long and interesting account of an individual that he had wounded slightly in the wing, during one of his excursions, and which he carried for a great distance in his pocket. It soon became familiarized to confinement, learnt to know its name, to come when called on, to sit on his shoulder, climb up his clothes, eat from his mouth, &c. On account of its inability to articulate, and its loud disagreeable screams, it is seldom kept caged in America; and, as Audubon observes,

the Woods are best fitted for them, and there the richness of their plumage, their beautiful mode of flight, and even their screams, afford welcome intimation that our darkest forests and most sequestered swamps are not destitute of charms.

According to this author, their nest, or rather the place, where they deposit their eggs, is the bottom of the cavities of decayed trees. He observes,

Many females deposit their eggs together,

and the number laid by each individual, he believes is two—a number which seems to prevail throughout the great body of the family. The eggs are round, and of a light greenish white; and the young, when excluded, and before they acquire their feathers, are covered with a soft down. The plumage of the first few months is green, but towards autumn they acquire a frontlet of carmine. Upon the ground they are slow and awkward, walking as if incommoded by their tail. When wounded, and attempted to be laid hold of, they turn to bite with open bill, and, if successful, inflict a very severe wound. They are said to delight in sand or gravelly banks, where they may frequently be seen rolling and fluttering about in the dust, at times picking up and swallowing a limited quantity. The lochs and saline springs are also constantly frequented by them, salt appearing equally agreeable to them as to pigeons, and various other birds and animals. The bill of the Carolina Arara is very hard and strong, the tip much thicker and rounder than in the Psittacara group; the tooth, or angular process of the upper mandible, is well and strongly defined; the colour white. The irides are hazel, the orbital skin whitish. The legs and feet are of a pale flesh red; the claws dusky. The forehead, cheeks, and periphthetonic region, are of a vivid orange red, the rest of the head and neck gamboge yellow; the shoulder and ridge of the wings yellow, varied with spots of orange red. The upper plumage is of a fine emerald green, with purple and blue reflections. The greater wing-coverts are deeply margined with greenish-yellow. The under plumage is a fine pale siskin or yellowish-green. The greater quills have their outer webs bluish-green, passing into bright yellow at the base. The inner webs are hair brown, slightly tinged with green near their tips. The tail is green, the inner webs of the lateral feathers tinged with brownish-red. The feathers of the tibiæ are yellow, passing into orange at the joint. In length it averages about 14 inches; in extent of wings 22 inches.

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The next group we have to notice is that of the Maccaws, or genus Macrocercus, Viell., here restricted to the larger species, with long lanceolate tails and naked orbits and cheeks. In this group the bill is short but very strong, and higher than long; the upper mandible greatly arched, with the tip long, and projecting far beyond the under, which is massive, and meets the upper at right angles. The palatine ridge is very distinct, and the inner surface of the projecting tips roughened and file like The tongue is thick and soft. The wings pretty long and acuminate. The feet strong, and formed for grasping; the claws falcate, the tarsi upon which they partly rest are short and thick. In disposition they are much less docile than the true Parrots, and can rarely be taught to articulate more than a few words in a harsh discordant tone; their natural notes are confined to hoarse and piercing screams. They breed in the hollows of trees, laying two eggs, which are said to be incubated alternately by both sexes,

The first species figured is the

The second illustration of this magnificent group, is the

Our next figure represents another species very nearly related to the Scarlet Maccaw; it is the

Immediately following the Maccaws, and nearly related to them by the strength and thickness of the bill, and the naked skin which still occupies the orbits, and more or less of the face, is a group to which we would restrict the title of Psittacara, Vigors, typified by his Psittacara frontata, but not embracing all the birds which he included in it, several of them having their station among the Araras, or that group to which the Patagonian species belongs. The genus Psittacara is distinguished by a large, deep, and massive bill, the upper mandible with the culmen imperfectly biangulated, the tip drawn suddenly to a fine sharp point, the tomia sinuated, or imperfectly toothed, the under mandible very large and thick, the tip quadrate, the orbits, and space between the bill and eyes, to a greater or less extent naked. Nostrils round, patent, in the cere at the base of the bill. Wings rather long, acuminate, the three first feathers of nearly equal length, wide at the base, narrowing suddenly toward their tips. Tail rather long, and moderately graduated. The passage from the Maccaw to the Parrot division, appears in one point to be effected by the apparent connection that subsists between the birds of this genus and those of genera Tanygnathus and Triclaria of Wagler, the latter of which, by the nearly even or slightly cuneated tail, leads to the true or typical Parrots.

The subject of the next illustration is the

From the Maccaw division we now proceed to the subfamily Psittacina, containing a numerous assemblage of species, distinguished by their comparatively stout and generally even tail. The larger species of this division answer to M. Kuhl’s fourth section Psittacus, and are usually known among us by the special title of Parrots. These by Wagler, in his Monographia Psittacorum, have since been divided into several groups, and constitute his genera Eclectus, Psittacodis, Psittacus, and Pionus. In this subfamily, the bill, though very powerful and strong, is more elongated than in the Maccaws and Cockatoos, the head is large, and the face, with some few exceptions, covered with feathers. The tail is short, with the end even, or else slightly rounded; and the wings are generally ample and long. It forms the typical group of the family, and is nearly allied to the Cockatoos, or subfamily Plyctolophina, by some interesting forms, among which may be mentioned Nestor hypopolius, Wagler, and by some of its smaller members, to the short-tailed diminutive species of the Lory division; while their connection with the Macrocercinæ is supported by the forms previously adverted to. The species are found distributed in Asia, Africa, and America, and are all inhabitants of the torrid zone. Many are gregarious, except during the period of incubation. They breed in the hollows of decayed trees, and most of the species are supposed to lay only two white eggs, which are incubated alternately by both sexes. In disposition, they are the most docile of the family, and possess the power of imitating the human voice in as great, or perhaps greater perfection, than any of the other divisions.

The first illustration belongs to the genus Psittacus, as restricted by Wagler, the characters of which are,—Bill strong, proportionate, the upper mandible with the culmen slightly narrowed, the tip, with its under surface, rough with elevated ridges, strongly toothed or emarginate, under mandible slightly compressed, with the cutting edges sinuated. Tongue thick, fleshy, smooth. Cere broad. Nostrils large, orbicular, placed in the cere near the base of the bill. Tail rather short, even at the end. Feet, the tarsi short, strong, and depressed, the two exterior toes long, and nearly equal. Plumage compact, the feathers of the neck broad, truncate, and imbricated. With the exception of the Grey Parrot, Psitt. erythacus, Linn., which, although provisionally retained in Wagler’s genus, it is likely will eventually be separated from it, on account of its geographical distribution, the nudity of its face, and some other minor characters, the rest of the species belong to the tropical regions of America. The ground or prevailing colour is green, varied in different birds, with red, blue, and yellow. They are of a docile disposition, and of great imitative powers, on which account they are held in high estimation, and frequently kept caged. They are nearly related to Wagler’s genera Psittacodis and Eclectus, the latter of which appears to lead to the larger Indian Lories but of these genera, and that of Pionus, another group, of which Psittacus manstruus, Auct., is the type, our limits do not permit us to give illustrative figures. The subject of the next Plate is the

Amazon’s Parrot

Psittacus Amazonius.—Auctorum.

Psittacus Amazonius, Briss. Av. 4. p. 256.—Wagler, Mon. Psitt. in Abhand. &c. p. 496 596. and 588.—Spix. Av. Bras. p. 45.—Le Peroquet Amazone, Buff. Pl. Enl. 547.—Aourou Parrot, Shaw’s Zool. 8. p. 508. pl. 76.

The true Amazons’ Parrot has so frequently been confounded and mixed up with other nearly allied species, that a description of it may not be unacceptable to our readers, especially as it is a kind frequently brought to Europe, on account of its colloquial powers, and known, like others of its congeners, by the common appellation of Green Parrot. In dimensions it is inferior to the Festive Parrot, its length seldom exceeding twelve inches: the bill is less powerful, but similar in form, its colour orange-yellow, with a whitish tip. The cheeks, chin, and angles at the base of the bill are yellow; the forehead and eye-streak violet-purple, the bases of the feathers being yellow; the occiput and hind-neck are green, each feather edged with black. The rest of the upper and under plumage is of a fine green. The four lateral tail-feathers nearest the two middle ones have their outer webs green, verging to yellow at the base and apex; the inner webs yellow, with a large central red spot, intersected by a transverse green one: the fifth and sixth have the basal half of the outer webs green, the remainder yellow the inner webs with their bases and tips yellow, the middle part being green: the next is distinguished by a pale red spot; and the remainder have their bases green, which passes into yellow near the tips. The margin of the carpus or lower ridge of the wing is frequently of an orange-red. The first primary quill is black above: beneath, the inner web exhibits at the base a rich tinge of verdigris-green, the second, third, and fourth, have their exterior webs green, with azure reflections; the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth, are green from the base to the middle, the other part being deep azure blue, the inner webs black; the ninth to the twelfth greenish near the base, passing forwards into brownish-red, which, near the ends of the feathers, becomes of a deep blue: the under surface of all the quills is of a copper or verdigris-green colour. This bird inhabits South America, being common in Guiana and Brazil, particularly near the banks of the river Amazons. It feeds upon fruits, particularly that of the Rhizophora Mangle, in the decayed trunks of which trees it also deposits its eggs. It is also very destructive to the orange plantations. It is easily tamed, and learns to repeat with facility a number of words and short sentences. When alarmed or excited, it erects the nuchal feathers.

The limited number of engravings not admitting of a figure illustrative of every group, we can only remedy the deficiency by a description of such species as are remarkable, or typical of their respective genera. The Short and Even-tailed Parrots, as previously observed, have been divided by Wagler into several generic heads; but whether all of these will stand the test of such a separation, or are only to be regarded as slightly aberrant forms of the genus Psittacus, must depend upon a strict analysis of all the species. We shall, however, here consider them as forming distinct groups, detailing the principal characters of each as given by that eminent naturalist. The first is that of Eclectus, represented by the Eclectus Linnæi, Wagler, and Ec. grandis, Wagler (the Psittacus grandis of Latham, &c.), which differ from his restricted genus Psittacus in the form of the bill, the under mandible being narrower, the cere at the base scarcely visible, and the nostril placed farther back, and hidden by the feathers or the brow. The texture of the plumage upon the head and neck is also different, being long and silky. He considers them to represent the parrots of America, Africa, and Asia, and also to bring them nearer in connexion with the larger lories. The following is a description of the

Grand Electus

Electus grandis.—Wagler.

Electus grandis, Wagler, Mon. Psitt. in Abhand. &c. pp. 495, 472.—Psittacus grandis, Kuhl’s Consp. p. 38, No. 50. Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 116, sp. 112 102, var. B.—Psittacus janthinus. Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 90, sp. 24.—Peroquet grand Lori, (male), Le Vaillant, Tab. 126.—Lori dela nouvelle Guinee, Buff. Pl. Enl. 683.—Grand Lory, Lath. Syn. i. p. 275, sp. 81; Shaw’s Zool. viii. p. 533, pl. 80.

This elegant species, which exceeds the Amazons Parrot in size, is a native of the Moluccas and New Guinea. In appearance, and the colour of its plumage, it approaches the larger lories, a resemblance also indicated by the name given to it by Latham and others. The bill is black, with the culmen of the upper mandible rounded; the nostrils placed at the base of the bill, and concealed from view; the eyes yellow, and the ophthalmic region entirely clothed with feathers. The head and upper neck are of a rich crimson red; the lower neck, breast, belly, and upper part of the thighs, are lilac purple; the mantle, back, scapulars, wing-coverts, and upper tail-coverts, rich scarlet, with a purplish tinge. The flexure of the wings, and outer webs of the quills, are azure blue; the vent and apical fascia of the tail yellow.

The next group indicated by Wagler is that of Psittacodis, the principal character of distinction consisting in the want of the tooth or angular process on the upper mandible. The members belonging to it are also natives of Asia and Australasia, and the Psitt. magnus, Psitt. Paragua, Psitt. Sumatranus, and Psitt. tarabe, Auct., belong to it. A third group is that of Pionus, which embraces a variety of species belonging to Asia, Africa, and America, and which, judging from the difference of geographical distribution, it is likely may require still further division. In the form of the tongue and feet, it agrees with the genus Psittacus proper, but the tail is comparatively shorter, the wings longer, and, when closed, in many species extending beyond the tip of the tail. The head is large, and the body short and thick. An example of this group is

Le Vaillant’s Pionus

Pionus Le Vaillantii.—Wagler.

Pionas Le Vaillantii, Wagler, Mon. Psitt. in Abhand. &c. pp. 499, 614.—Psittacus robustus. Lath. Ind. Orn. i. p. 94 95.—Psittacus Le Vaillantii, Lath. Sup.; Kuhl, Consp. Psitt. p. 83.—Psittacus infuscatus, Shaw’s Zool. viii. p. 523.—Peroquet à franges souci, Le Vaill. Tab. 130 et 131.—Robust Parrot, Lath. Syn. i. pp. 296, 100.—Damask Parrot, Shaw’s Zool. viii. 523.

This is an African species, inhabiting, at a certain period, the eastern parts of that continent, as high as latitude 32° It was first discovered and figured by Le Vaillant, who informs us, that it only resides in the woods, in the latitude above mentioned, during the season of reproduction, quitting them for warmer districts on the approach of the rainy season, after it has reared its young; and that, during these migratory movements, the flocks fly so high as to be beyond the reach of sight, though their screams or call-notes can still be heard. As usual in this family, the hollow of a tree is the receptacle for the eggs, which are four in number, in size equal to those of a pigeon, and which are incubated alternately by both sexes. The young, when first hatched, are naked, but soon become covered with greyish down. Their plumage is not perfected till after an interval of six weeks, and they remain a considerable time longer in the nest, during which they are fed by the parents, who disgorge in the manner of pigeons. In an interesting detail of their habits, he observes that they are remarkably fond of bathing, and are observed to fly every day, and at the same hour, to the water for this purpose. The hours of feeding are also very regular, and the whole day is distributed by rule—a fact we have observed to prevail among other birds. At dawn of day, the whole flight of each district assembles, and alights with much noise on one or more dead trees, according to the size of the flock, and there, displaying their wings to the first rays of the sun, recal to mind the idea of some ancient race, of simple manners, assembled on some hill to chaunt a hymn in honour of the God of Day. The reason, however, of this assembly of the parrots, is to warm and dry their plumage, moistened and chilled by the dews of night, which in these regions is often cold, and always damp. When once warmed, and their plumage dry, they arise in small flocks, and fly around in quest of their favourite fruit, a kind of cherry, the stone of which they break, in order to obtain the kernel. This their morning’s meal continues till about 10 or 11 o’clock, at which time all the separate flocks fly to the water to bathe. When the heat of day commences, they again seek the deep recesses of the woods, in order to enjoy the refreshment of the shade; and at this time they keep a silence so profound, that not a sound shall be heard by a person sitting beneath a tree, though the branches above be crowded with legions of parrots; but on the report of a gun, the whole flock fly off with the rapidity of lightning, with a confused mixture of the most discordant screams.

When this their time of rest is elapsed, they again disperse, in order to obtain their second or evening meal; after which, all the flocks of the whole district reassemble with much noise and animation, and this is the signal for their second visit to the water, which is often far distant, as only the purest wall please them. They are then seen confusedly and playfully rolling over each other on the margins of the pool, at times dipping their heads and wings into the water, in such a manner as to scatter it all over their plumage, and exhibiting a most entertaining spectacle to the observer. This ceremonial being finished, they revisit the trees on which they assembled at sunrise, where they sit for some time engaged in adjusting and pruning their feathers. This finished, they fly off in pairs, each pair retiring to its peculiar roost, where they rest till morning.

The bill is large, the culmen biangulate, the tomiæ sinuated, but not distinctly toothed; its colour whitish. The head, neck, and breast are of an olive green colour, deepest upon the forehead and crown; the lores or space between the bill and eyes black. The mantle, scapulars, and wing-coverts are brownish-black, the feathers margined with green. The lower back, upper tail-coverts, abdomen, and under tail-coverts, emerald green. The ridge of the wings and thighs are bright reddish-orange. The quills and tail brownish-black, slightly tinged with green. Legs and toes grey.

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In addition to Wagler’s genera Psittacodis, Eclectus, and Pionus, which contain the other larger species of the short even-tailed Parrots, we are inclined to place in this subfamily several small species, which, in Kuhl’s Conspectus, form a portion of his section Psittacula, and are also included in Wagler’s more restricted genus of the same name. Both of these groups are, however, so constituted, as to embrace birds of dissimilar form and habits, and widely separated in regard to their geographical distribution. In some, as those inhabiting the islands of the Pacific, the bill is slender and weak, as in the Lories the tongue is also supposed to be furnished with delicate papillæ. These we have little hesitation in placing in that subfamily. Others have the bill powerful and thick, with the upper mandible strongly toothed; the wings long, and the tail short, and nearly even. To this group, the Psittacus Swinderianus of Kuhl, and the Psittacus Malaccensis, Lath., appear to belong. For the present, the title of Agapornis is given to them, though it is not unlikely that a farther division may be required, when their habits and economy are better known. The only illustration we can give of these diminutive Parrots is that of

In this subfamily we have also placed another very interesting form, from Australia; it is represented by the Psittacus Nestor of Latham, and now forms the type of Wagler’s genus Nestor. This bird is supposed to form a connecting link between the Parrots and Cockatoos, though it must be confessed that more correct information respecting its history and habits is necessary, before its true situation and direct affinities can be satisfactorily ascertained. The characters of the genus Nestor of Wagler are:—Bill elongate, the upper mandible compressed, hooked; the tomia sinuated, but not distinctly toothed; the tip projecting, with its under surface sulcated and deeply excavated for the reception of the tip of the under mandible; under mandible narrow, compressed, slightly convex, or forming, when closed, an obtuse angle with the upper; wings rather long, ample; tail of moderate length, and even at the end, the tips of the shafts bare, and slightly projecting beyond the feathered part. The following plate represents the

Genus Plyctolophus

The next primary division is that of the Cockatoos, or subfamily Plyctolophina, Vigors, representing the Rasorial Order, in the circle of the Psittacidæ. It contains, besides the true Cockatoos, distinguished by their white or light coloured plumage, the various black or dark coloured birds belonging to the genus Calyptorynchus, Vigors, which we here designate Geringores, a name given to some of the species by the natives of Mew Holland, in which interesting country they are chiefly met with. The birds of this division are among the largest of the Parrot tribe, and most of them, in a greater or less degree, are crested. The bill in the Geringore group, though short, and nearly concealed by the projecting feathers of the face, is remarkable for its strength and depth at the base. In addition to seeds, they are said to feed upon the roots of bulbous plants. In disposition, the birds of this subfamily are generally wilder and less tractable than many of the other groups of the Psittacidæ. They breed in the holes of decayed trees, and their eggs are seldom more than two in number. The first group we have to notice is that of the genus Plyctolophus, Vieillot, of which the characters are:—Bill deep at the base, greatly arched and strong, the upper mandible forming nearly the fourth part of a circle, the tip narrowed and acute, overhanging the lower mandible; the tomia or cutting edges sinuated or toothed; under mandible narrower than the upper; the tongue thick, fleshy, and smooth; nostrils lateral, in the cere at the base of the bill; head crested, the crest composed of two rows of acuminate feathers, the tip directed forwards, and which can be erected or depressed at will; cheeks plumed; tail rather short, even; plumage compact, the tips of the feathers rounded, truncate; feet robust; tarsi short and reticulated.

The Cockatoos, so called from the usual call-note of the species, form a well marked genus, readily distinguished from the other groups of the Psittacidæ by their light and uniform colour, which is white, or white tinged more or less, according to the species, with sulphur-yellow or rose-red, by their peculiar shaped crest, and by their short and even tail. The massive and powerful bill, as well as the robust scansorial feet of this section, evidently point to the situation they hold in the family; and, with the nearly allied genus Calyptorynchus and some other forms which sustain the connexion with more distant groups, they are considered as representing the Rasorial group of the family. They are natives of Australia and the Indian Isles, where they inhabit the woods and forests of these luxuriant climes. They feed upon the seeds of vanous trees and plants, being able, with their powerful bill, to break the stones of the hardest fruits. Their nidification is similar to that of the great body of the Psittacidæ, the holes of decayed trees being the receptacle for the eggs and young. They are easily tamed when taken at an early age, but do not possess the imitative powers of the true Parrots, seldom being able to acquire more than two or three words besides their own peculiar note or cry of cockatoo. The first we have to notice is the

Our next figure represents the

In addition to the species described, the following belong to this present genus, viz. Plyctolophus Philippinarum. Red-crested Cockatoo, a native of the Philippine Islands; Plyct. Moluccensis, Wag., the Great red-crested Cockatoo, which is found in the Moluccas, Sumatra, &c.; Plyct. cristata, Wag., also a native of the Moluccas, and the Plyct. rosei-capillus, Vieill. (Psittacus Eos. of Kuhl), which, however, departs from the type in the form and structure of the crest, approaching in this respect nearer to Wagler’s genus Licmetis, which is represented by the Psittacus nasicus of Temminck, described in the 13th volume of the Transactions of the Linnæan Society, and in the “Planches Coloriées,” plate 351.

Nearly allied to the Cockatoos, and included in that genus by many authors, is the Red-crowned Parrot (Psittacus galeatus of Latham, Kuhl, &c.) It forms the type of Wagler’s genus Corydon, and, according to the views of that author, forms the connecting medium between the Cockatoos and the genus Calyptorynchus of Vigors and Horsfield, upon which we are about to enter, and for which group we propose to give the title of Geringore, taken from the name applied to one of the finest and largest species by the natives of Australia. The characters of the genus Calyptorynchus are:—Bill thick, very strong, much higher than long, wide at the base, compressed towards the culmen, greatly arched, and describing in its profile nearly a semicircle, the lip not much elongated, and bending inwards; under mandible massive, dilated, wider than the upper, toothed, and deeply emarginate in front, nearly concealed by the feathers of the cheeks; orbits and lores naked; tongue simple, smooth; nostrils large, round, lateral, placed behind the corneous base of the bill; wings ample, rounded, the second, third, fourth, and fifth quills the longest, and nearly equal, their exterior webs emarginate towards the middle; tail of mean length, broad, slightly rounded; feet and toes rather weak, the tarsi short. The width and peculiar form of the lower mandible, and the shortness of the whole bill, as compared with its depth at the base, as well as its semilunar profile, are characters alone of sufficient importance to separate the members of this group horn the true Cockatoos, In addition, the crest which exists is of a different form; the tail is more elongated and rounded, and the ground or prevailing colour of the species, instead of being light, is always dark, varying from black to blackish-grey and blackish-green. So far as our limited acquaintance with their habits extends, they appear to be birds of a wilder and fiercer disposition than the generality of the Psittacidæ, and less gregarious than the conterminous genera. They are said to feed greatly upon bulbous roots, as well as on fruits and seeds; and the denuded tip of the rachis of the tail-feathers indicates something peculiar, and with which we are yet unacquainted, in their economy. The holes of decayed trees are the receptacles for their eggs, which are said rarely to exceed two or three in number. They are natives of Australia, to which the group appears to be confined. The subject selected to illustrate the genus is the

Genus Micro­glossus

The subject of our next illustration, though bearing in many respects a strong resemblance to the preceding genus, is distinguished from it by the peculiar form of its tongue, which is tubular and extensile, and by the form and contour of its bill. The upper mandible is of great size, and considerably impressed, the tomia or cutting edges being bidentate or doubly sinuated. The under mandible is small in proportion, with a single emargination. The orbits and cheeks are naked, and the head is adorned with a long crest, generally pendent, hut which can be erected, and is composed of long narrow acuminate feathers. The legs are naked a little way above the tarsal joint, the tarsi themselves are short. The tail is of mean length and even. It constitutes the type of Geoffroy’s genus Microglossus, which is retained by Wagler in his Monographia Psittacorum. In Kuhl’s Conspectus, it is the representative of his section Probosciger, and he considers it as a form intermediate between the Maccaws and Cockatoo, but our present ignorance of the natural habits of this singular bird, renders it difficult to trace its true affinities, and we even feel doubtful whether the station now assigned it, is that to which it will be entitled upon a further investigation and more correct knowledge of its natural history. We propose for it the name of the

In this subfamily, or in close connection with it, according to Wagler, is another remarkable form, to which he gives the generic title of Dasyptilus, and now illustrated by

Loriana

The next subfamily or primary division of the Psitticidæ upon which we enter, is that of Loriana, so named from the beautiful Scarlet-coloured Lories, natives of continental India and its islands, and which appear to constitute one of its typical forms. It is the second aberrant group of the family, representing the tenuirostral tribe of the Insessores, and consequently is analogous to the order Grallatores in the class Aves; and to the Glires among the Mammalia. In conformity with these analogies, the existence of which have been traced and followed out in various departments of zoology, with such perspicuity and convincing force, by one of the first naturalists of the age,² we find the habits as well as the structure of the birds composing it, deviating in a striking manner from those of the conterminous groups, of course most conspicuously so, in such as constitute the typical or representative forms. The difference of structure to which we allude is in the shape of the bill and tongue, the former member being weaker and slenderer in its proportions than in the other Parrots, especially as regards the under mandible, which is lengthened and less convex in its contour, with the tip contracted and narrow, and the tomia or cutting edges straight and without emargination; the inner surface of the overhanging point of the upper mandible, which in the other groups is rough and like a file, with lines crossing each other at right angles, to give them a firm hold of nuts or seeds, is smooth or nearly so, and the ridge opposing the tip of the under mandible, which in the typical Parrots is prominent and strongly marked, is but slightly indicated or altogether wanting in the Lorianæ, as are also the prominences of the palatial bones, which assist so essentially in comminuting the food of the other groups. Their tongue is not so thick or fleshy, and the tip, instead of being smooth and soft, is rough, and in some furnished with a pencil of setaceous papillæ or bristles, similar and, analogous to the filamentous tongues of the structure, in the tenuirostral Melliphagidæ. fact, is bestowed upon them for the same purpose, and performs a similar office, viz. that of extracting the nectar of flowers, and sucking the juices of tender fruits, which it appears constitute the principal support of the members of this beautiful division. Of the various genera belonging to the subfamily, besides the true Lories, we may enumerate all the acknowledged members of the genus Trichoglossus of Vigors and Horsf., which also seem to enter among its typical forms, and included among these, or at least in very close connexion, are the birds belonging to that group, named by Mr Vigors Brotogeris, and typified by the Orange-winged Parrakeet of authors. Another interesting form belonging to it, and which appears to keep up a connexion with the genus Palæornis of the Maccaw subfamily, is the Charmospna Papuensis of Wagler (Psittaccus Papuensis, Auct.), whose tail, in shape, is nearly similar to that of Palæornis Alexandri, but the ground or prevailing colour of its plumage is assimilated to that of the true Lories, and is of a rich and vivid scarlet. Besides the forms above enumerated, there are others of a diminutive size, chiefly inhabiting the islands of the Pacific, which appear closely allied to the Lorianæ, and which, in all probability, will be found to enter that subfamily; most of these were included by Kuhl, in his section or genus Psittacula, a group apparently established to receive all the smaller Parrots, without regard to geographic distribution, or the peculiar characters exhibited by the various individuals composing it, and consequently forming an assemblage purely artificial. Want of materials to institute the necessary analysis, as well as a deficiency of information respecting the natural habits of many of these birds, precludes us at present from entering more fully into their true affinities, or speaking with more confidence of the situations they respectively hold; but we have no hesitation in at once admitting into the present division, that group which embraces the Psittncus poriphyrio of Shaw; the Psittacula Kuhlii of Vigors, and several others, of which Wagler has constituted his genus Coriphilus.

We commence our illustrations of this subfamily with examples of the genus Lorius, which may be characterized as follows:—Bill moderate, compressed, the inner side of the tip of the upper mandible smooth; the under mandible lengthened, conic, with the tip narrow and entire. Tongue tubular, silky. Tail of moderate length, rounded or graduated, the feathers broad, with obtuse tips. Legs stout. For the present, we arrange under this genus all the Scarlet-coloured Lories, natives of continental India and its islands, but whose distribution does not extend so far south as Australia. It is, however, probable that this group will require further division, and that most of the genera indicated by Wagler in his Monograph will hereafter be adopted. The structure and comparative weakness of the bill of these birds, plainly indicate that the nature of their food must be different in quality from that of the powerful billed Parrots, and accordingly we find, that soft fruits, as well as the juices of flowers, constitute their principal support. They are closely connected in affinity with that group of which Psittacula Kuhlii, Vigors, is a type, and with the Lorikeets or genus Trichoglossus, Vigors, which occupy their place in Australia and the islands of the Pacific. In the breadth, and the rounded tips of their tail feathers, may also be traced an approach to the broad-tails or subfamily Platycercinæ, with which a connexion is thus sustained. In disposition they are lively, but mild and tractable, and when domesticated, fond of being caressed. The call-note of many of the species is similar in sound to the name they usually go by, and some of them learn to speak with great distinctness. Our first figure represents the

The next form we have to notice is one of great interest, partaking of the essential characters of the Lones. in the form and structure of its bill and tongue, as well as in the prevailing tints of its plumage. At the same time, it shews a strong analogy to the Ring Parrakeets, or members of the genus Palæornis, in the peculiar form of its tail, which nearly resembles that of Palæornis Alexandri. By Wagler it is considered as genetically distinct from the other Lories, as well as from the Trichoglossi, or Lorikeets, and of it he institutes his genus Charmosyna; but as no other species has yet been discovered, and the prolongation of the two middle tail-feathers appears to be the only character of distinction, we have for the present retained it as an aberrant form of the genus Lorius. It is the

We now enter upon an Australian group, which, in that division of the globe, takes the place of the Indian Lories. The members belonging to it, instead of having the ground or prevailing colour of the plumage of a red or vermilion tint, have it green, of brighter or deeper shades, according to the species, variegated, however, in many of them, with masses of the first-named colour. In this genus, the tail is more elongated than in the true Lories, and regularly graduated, with the tips of the feathers narrow; the wings are also narrow and pointed. It constitutes Vigors’s genus Trichoglossus, and is thus characterized:—Bill subelongate, compressed, weak, the inferior mandible slightly convex, longer than high, narrowed towards the tip, with the margins thin and entire; inner surface of the projecting tip of the upper mandible smooth, or but slightly striated; tongue fumislied near the tip with a pencil of bristly papillæ, wings of moderate length, narrow, the first quill longest, the second and third a trifle shorter, the webs entire; feet, the tarsi short, feathered below the joint; toes strong, with the soles broad and extended; the claws greatly falcated, strong and sharp tail graduated, with the feathers narrowing towards the point. The members of this genus are birds of elegant form, and some exhibit a great variety and richness of plumage; they are strictly arboreal and scansorial, as indicated by the form and strength of their feet and claws. In the quality of their food, and the structure of their tongue, they shew their typical station in this representative section of the Tenuirostral Tribe, their principal nutriment being derived from the nectar of flowers; they also eat or suck the juices of the soft or exterior portion of various fruits, but do not attempt the kernels or actual seeds, which constitute the general and favourite pabulum of the rest of the Psittacidæ. In their contour, and the indications of a nuchal collar which several of the species possess, we also trace a resemblance to the Parrakeets, or genus Palæornis, Vigors and this analogy we might expect to find, if, as we suppose, the Parrakeets in their own circle constitute the Tenuirostral type. In the present genus, we are also induced to retain the Orange-winged Parrot of authors (Psittacus pyrrhopterus), for which bird Mr Vigors instituted the genus Brotogeris, as we cannot observe any character of sufficient importance to warrant a generic separation, the only difference seeming to be a slight elongation of the tip of the upper mandible; but this is rendered less abrupt by the intervention of another species, the Trichoglossus palmarum, in which it is of a size intermediate between that of Trich, chlorolepidotus, T. Swainsonii, &c., and that of Trich. pyrrhopterus. The first example we give of this genus is the

The next figure represents another beautiful species of this group: it is the

From species possessing a richly-varied plumage, we now pass to others, where it is plainer, and of a more uniform tint, but which otherwise exhibit all the essential characters of the genus. In dimensions also they are generally inferior, and one of them, the Trich. pusillus, ranks among the pigmies of the Psittacean family. The species selected for representation is the

Nearly allied to the genera Trichoglossus and Lorius, in the form of the bill, the tongue, and feet, is another beautiful group inhabiting the islands of Australia, and characterized by Wagler, in his monograph of the family, under the title of Coriphilus. They feed upon the softer fruits, particularly that of the Musa Paradisiaca, and live amid the foliage of the highest palm-trees. The structure of the tongue in these birds is curious, according to the naturalists who accompanied Duperney in his “Voyage autour du Monde:” it is tipped by a kind of crown, formed by a number of long stiff filaments, regularly placed, and which M. de Blainville considers as the nervous elongations or papillæ of the lingual or gustatory branch, enormously developed.

Their voice is weak and sibilous; and, when alarmed or irritated, they erect the feathers of the hind-head, which are narrow and elongated. The sexes are remarkable for their affection to each other, and direct all their movements in concert. The characters of the genus are:—Bill small, the upper mandible without a distinct tooth, the cere large and prominent, the under mandible weak, slightly convex. Nostrils open, round, in the basal cere. Tongue papillose near the tip. Head crested. Wings long and pointed. Tail of moderate length, broad, rounded at the tip. Feet strong. Claws falcate. This group is illustrated by

Another very beautiful and interesting bird, which appears to belong to this little group, is the Psitt. Taitensis, Gmel.:—Blue, but having the throat, fore part of the neck, and cheeks, white. It frequents the very summits of the cocoa-trees, examining their flowers at the moment of bursting, for the sweet liquid which is there abundant.

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Apparently in near connection with Wagler’s genus Coriphilus, in the weak structure of the bill, and in the length and shape of the wings, is another group of diminutive Parrots, inhabiting the Indian and Australian islands, for which we adopt the title of Psittaculus, and which, we believe, will enter into the present subfamily, though we cannot speak positively as to the structure of their tongue, or whether it is furnished with papillae similar to the members of the other nectivorous groups. Our figure represents what we suppose to be the young Male of the

Platycercinæ

We now arrive at the fifth or fissirostral division of the Psittaciæ, which, by which, by Mr Swainson, has been designated by the name of Platycercina (Broad-tail), the members of the genus Platycercus of Vigors and Horsfield being considered as its typical representatives. Of the other groups which belong to this section, we only venture to speak with diffidence, not having had an opportunity, as well from want of time as of materials, to make that strict analysis of the species which is required to trace out with certainty the true affinities, and exact station of each. We have sufficient data, however, to believe, that the ground Parrakeets (gen. Pezoyorus, Illig.), the beautiful miniature Maccaw-looking species belonging to the genus Nanodes, Vigors, the two species composing Wagler’s genus Nymphicus, represented by the Psitt. sisetis and Psitt. Novæ Hollandiæ of authors, and some other forms, among which, perhaps, the Psittacus Platurus of Temminck’s “Planches Coloriés” may be included, enter into it. Those interesting species which inhabit Madagascar, and known by the name of Vasas, viz. Psitt. niger and Psitt. mascarinus, Linn., forming Wagler’s genus Comcopsis, also shew a decided affinity in form and habit to the true Platycerci, and there is little doubt belong to the division. To the genus Palæornis, Vigors, which we have placed among the Macrocercincæ, or Maccaw section, an approach is shewn in several species. Thus, it is strongly indicated by the resemblance the Palæor, Barrabandi, an Australian species, which stands upon the confines of the group, bears to some of the less typical Broad-tails, in which that member in part loses its broad and depressed form. It is also visible in the wings and tail of that lovely species, the Nanodes discolor, in which the second, third, and fourth quills lose the distinct emargination of the outer web, and the two middle tail-feathers assume, in a great measure, the shape of those peculiar to the Ring-Parrakeets. The connection of the present with the preceding subfamily is supported by some of the Lories, in which the bill is comparatively strong, and the tongue loses in part its peculiar structure, and its approach to the short and even-tailed Parrots is shewn in the wide and slightly graduated tail of Platycercus scapulatus, as well as in the Madagascar species Psitt. niger and mascarinus. The members of this family are distinguished from the rest of the Psittacidæ, by their slender and elevated tarsi, and the less falcated form of their claws. Their wings also are shorter, and rounded, the first quill-feather being inferior to some of the succeeding ones. In consequence of this formation, their habits are less strictly scansorial than those of the typical Parrots; but the deficiency is amply compensated by the ease and agility with which they move upon the ground, where their actions partake in a great measure of that freedom which distinguishes so many of the scansorial order, but which is almost denied to the typical Parrots, whose movements upon a plain surface are to a great degree awkward, and constrained. This formation is carried to the greatest extent in the genus Pezoporus, Illiger (Ground Parrot), in which the tarsi and toes are long and slender, and the claws nearly straight, indicating those terrestrial habits from which it has derived its name. The Platycercinæ are birds of elegant and graceful form, and their carriage and actions are in accordance with it, as they display an activity and liveliness of motion far superior to that of the true scansorial species, and more in character with that of other birds. In richness and diversity of plumage, also, they yield to none of the tribe, whether we admire it in the varied hues of the genus Platycercus, or in those smaller species belonging to the genus Nanodes, Vigors, which have aptly been termed miniature Maccaws. Most of the members of this division also shew a decrease in the power of flight, their wings being short and rounded, as indicated by the relative length of the quill-feathers. Not having a figure illustrative of the Madagascar species, which must be considered an interesting form in this division, we commence with the genus Platycercus, Vigors and Horsfield. The characters are:—Bill rather short, deeper than long, the upper mandible with the culmen indistinct, broad and rounded, bulging on the sides, the tomia with a strong emargination or tooth, the under mandible short, very convex, deeply emarginate, with the tip broad, short, and quadrate. Palatial cutters large, and fully developed. Tongue simple, smooth. Wings of mean length, rounded, the first quill considerably shorter than the second and third, which are the longest, and nearly equal, the second, third, fourth, and fifth with their external webs abruptly emarginated a little behind the middle. Tail broad and depressed, rounded or subgraduate, the feathers with their tips rounded. Feet with the tarsi elevated and slender. Toes slender, claws rather long and slightly falcated.

The species belonging to this beautiful genus are already very numerous, and additions are constantly being made to it, as our knowledge of New Holland is extended, of which interesting country the majority of those already discovered are natives. They are of active habits, and are usually seen in large flocks, except during the period of reproduction. They feed upon seeds, particularly upon the grasses and Cerealea, and frequently do much damage in recent settlements to the ripening as well as to the new sown maize and wheat. The first species we have to notice is considered by Mr Vigors as the type of the genus: it is the

Our next plate represents another beautiful species of the same genus: it is the

We regret that our limits will not admit of our giving more examples of these lovely birds, particularly of such as, by a slight deviation from the typical form, lead to other genera, or serve to connect the present subfamily with the conterminous divisions, such are some of the species inhabiting the Pacific Islands, in which the tail feathers are more attenuated towards the tip; such also the Plat, scayulatus, Vig. (King’s or Tabuan Broad-Tail), in which the bill is less bulging, the tail very broad, and not so cuneiform as in the other species, and such would appear to be the New Guinea Broad-Tail (Plat. Novæ Guineæ, Wagler), in which the ophthalmic region is naked, a character that may perhaps imply the propriety of further generic division.

Nanodes

From the typical genus Platycercus, we now pass on to a group composed of birds of smaller dimensions, but eminent for their delicate form and pleasing plumage, and which have not inaptly been termed miniature analogues of the splendid Maccaws. In this lovely genus, the tail, in some species, as Nanodes venustus, and Nan. pulchellus, Vigors and Horsfield, retains to a considerable extent the breadth and depression of the Broadtails. In the Nanodes discolor, Vigors and Horsfield, as previously remarked, it in a great measure loses that character, and assumes the form, exhibited by the Ring-Parakeets or genus Palæornis, Vigors, the legs and feet as in Platycercus, are also slender and lengthened, and the claws but slightly hooked. This group forms the genus Nanodes of Vigors and Horsfield, or that of Euphemia, Wagler, distinguished by the following characters:—Bill short, higher than long, the upper mandible with the culmen rounded, and the tomia in the typical species without a distinct tooth or emargination, under mandible very short, inclining inwards, emarginate, with the apex broad, quadrate, and slightly sinuated. Palatial cutting membranes large. Nostrils round, lateral, placed in the slightly raised cere at the base of the bill. Wings of mean length, subacuminate, the first quill a little shorter than the second and third, which are the longest and nearly equal, second, third, and fourth quills with their exterior webs slightly emarginate near the middle. Tail graduated, cuneiform, slightly depressed, the feathers gradually narrowing towards the tip. Feet slender, the tarsi and toes elongated; claws slightly hooked.

The first specimen of this genus is the

Our next figure represents another species of this group: it is the

In near connection with the birds we have just been describing, stands the genus Pezoporus, Illiger, represented by the Pezoporus formosus, Illiger, the Ground Parrot of Latham’s General History. The characters of distinction are drawn from the still greater elongation of the tarsi and toes, and the usually straight claws, indicating habits strictly terrestrial, with trifling or greatly diminished powers of prehension. The tail also is less depressed, and the feathers are narrower and more pointed than in Nanodes venustus and pulchellus, with those slight modifications of character it might perhaps with equal propriety be considered a constituent or aberrant member of the genus to which they belong, probably its rasorial type. We retain it, however, in its present station, until a stricter analysis of the family has been instituted. It is represented by the next figure under the title of the

The last group our limits permit us to mention, from its characters, which in many respects approach near to those of Pezoporus, seems naturally to be included in this division. Its members are distinguished by a crest, in one species consisting of two slender feathers, in the other of six, and similar in form to that of the Common Lapwing. The bill, in shape and proportion, seems almost intermediate between that of Platycercus and Pezoporus, the tarsi are elevated, the toes slender, with claws slightly falcate. Like most of the Platycercinæ, they are much upon the ground, where they move with freedom, and feed upon grass-seeds, maize, and other corn. In Wagler’s Monographia Psittacorum, they form his fourth genus Nymphicus, which title we adopt, as having been imposed prior to that of Leptolophus, by which it is characterized in Mr Swainson’s Illustrations. Our figure represents the