The LONG-TAILED PARRAKEETS (_Palæornithes_) inhabit the Old World, and
notwithstanding the peculiarities whereby the different families are
characterised, bear a common impress. All are distinguished by their
very slender shape and pointed tail of the same length as the body, and
by their flowing, magnificently-coloured plumage. They are distributed
over the whole of Central and Southern Africa, a great part of India and
Australia, and in favourable situations are met with in large flocks.
The Australian type differs from the Asiatic and African principally in
having a comparatively broad tail, and is on that account often referred
to another group.