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 Eclcc-tus, 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 Macrocercince 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 Psitta-cus, 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. ery-thacus, 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 menstruus, Auct., is the type, our limits do not permit us to give illustrative figures. The subject of the next Plate is the Psiitacus festivus.