The Relationship Between Parrots and Other Birds

Ornithologists differ widely among themselves as regards the relation that exists between parrots and other members of the class to which they belong. We have accordingly constituted for the parrots a distinct order under the quaint but expressive name of crackers or nucleotores in allusion to their ability to break up hard seeds with their beaks. The order that we have thus thought it advisable to establish is, however, by no means limited to the parrots. It includes various other seed-eating birds, chiefly belonging to the Passarine tribes. Their great intelligence enables them to live comfortably, even under disadvantages circumstances, and their temperament allows them to fight the battle of life very cheerfully.