This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 Excerpt: ...Parrot, and Ou'l Parrot. It is about as large as a raven, and is green or brownish-green freckled and barred with dark brown. It is armed with a powerful beak, that it well knows how to use, and its face is clothed with hairs and feathers like that of an owl, justifying its name of Owl Parrot. The Kakapo hides in holes ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 Excerpt: ...Parrot, and Ou'l Parrot. It is about as large as a raven, and is green or brownish-green freckled and barred with dark brown. It is armed with a powerful beak, that it well knows how to use, and its face is clothed with hairs and feathers like that of an owl, justifying its name of Owl Parrot. The Kakapo hides in holes in the daytime, coming out about sunset in search of its food, which is solely vegetable, as the buds, leaves, seeds, and fruits of trees, grasses, etc. It sometimes climbs trees, but generally remains on the ground, using its short wings only to balance itself in running, or to break its fall when it drops from a tree. It is thus an easy prey and is now nearly extinct, being found in only the unsettled parts of the islands. In kangaroos are purely vegetable feeders, browsing upon herbage and low bushes, like ruminants. In feeding the fore feet are usually brought to the ground, but these limbs are used also for carrying food to the mouth, iar grasping, and for digging. At the least alarm the kangaroo raises itself upright, supporting itself on its hind legs and its tail. Contrary to popular belief the tail is not a direct aid in leaping, but serves merely as a balancing pole. Macropus is from the Greek makros, large, and pous, foot. The following are the most important species: The Great Gray Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) is the largest of the species, a full grown male measuring five feet from nose to root of tail and the tail three feet more, and weighing about two hundred pounds. Its soft woolly fur is grayish brown above and white below, with the toes and tip of tail black. The female is a third smaller than the male. The great gray kangaroo is found over a large part of Australia and of Tasmania. It lives in open plains, in herds or dro...
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