CHAPTER VII.

THE PARROTS.

Characteristics of the Order--The Sub-orders--ZYGODACTYLÆ--THE PARROTS--Their Talking Powers--Sections of the Family--THE GREAT PALM COCKATOO--THE PYGMY PARROTS--THE AMAZON PARROTS--THE AMAZONS--THE GREY PARROT--Court Favourites--Historical Specimens--In a State of Nature--Mr. Keulemans’ Observations--THE CONURES--THE ROSE-RINGED PARRAKEET--Known to the Ancients--Habitat--Habits--THE CAROLINA CONURE--Destructive Propensities--THE PARRAKEETS--THE OWL PARROT--Chiefly Nocturnal--Incapable of Flight--How this Fact may be accounted for--Dr. Haast’s Account of its Habits--THE STRAIGHT-BILLED PARROTS--THE BRUSH-TONGUED PARROTS--THE NESTORS--THE KAKA PARROT--Skull of a Parrot--The Bill 308

THE SECOND ORDER.--PICARIAN BIRDS. SUB-ORDER I.--ZYGODACTYLÆ.