The class of True Parrots, with which the Grey Parrots (Psittacus, L.) and the Black Parrots (Coracopsis, Wgl.) are connected, includes the most noted of all the talkers. There are six varieties, two grey and four black, which, at the first glance, appear so different, and, on closer acquaintance, show so little agreement in their peculiarities, that the amateur might scarcely consider them as related, while the scientific observer ranks them together. The characters in which they agree are : Their beaks rounded off at the side, more or less broad and arched, with rounded top; upper beak without dental section, indented like a file; under beak lower, with a rounded socket edge gently bending out before the point; nostrils large and round; the cere, lores, and the broad circle round the eye (eye cere) bare; tongue thick, smooth, with blunt end; wings long and pointed, from nine to twelve pinion feathers; tail broad, almost straight or rounded; plumage soft, each feather ending abruptly; feet strong, with thick tarsus and powerful crooked nails; size between a jackdaw and a crow. In the Grey Parrot the beak is longer, more closely pressed together, with longer and thinner point, the tail is short, almost straight, the feathers bracket-shaped at the end. In the Black, on the contrary, the beak is thick, as high as it is long, with short, slightly prominent point; the tail is longer and more rounded. Both appear to differ from the species most nearly related to them (the Amazon, or Short-winged Parrots) by the naked parts of the face; in the Black species, the bare skin on the nose is mostly somewhat distended. The movements of the Grey species are unwieldy, the flight is, however rapid, but clumsy, the gait on the ground awkward, and even the climbing unskilful. In the Black species, the motion is rather more nimble, or at least quicker. The natural voice of the Grey is shrill and reverberating, that of the Black short and rough, sometimes also melodious. The speaking power of the former is probably the highest among all parrots; that of the latter is insignificant, or, at any rate, only moderate, Concerning the life in freedom of the birds belonging to this family very little is known as yet, but all the more has their existence in captivity been investigated in every respect. All further particulars will be given in the description of the individual species.