PSITTACID.E. 311 



the largest of the Parrot race. They are easily do- 

 mesticated^ and become very familiar^ but in their 

 powers of imitation they fall very far short of the 

 true Parrots. Their natural cries are harsh^ dis- 

 cordant^ and piercing ; and the few words they are 

 occasionally taught to utter are pronounced in a 

 disagreeable tone. Their beak is of enormous size 

 and strength, and their j^l^i^iage remarkable for 

 gaudy colouring. They perch on the highest part 

 of lofty trees, preferring those that border the forests, 

 and yet seldom show themselves at the extremity of 

 the branches. They are generally seen in pairs, 

 but sometimes in parties of six or eight together. 

 When disturbed they shake themselves, and utter a 

 scream, which is piercing', strong, and disagreeable. 

 They are rarely noticed on the ground, but some- 

 times climb from branch to branch in quest of the 

 fruits of the forest trees, and also of the palms in 

 which they usually live. Their flight is horizontal, 

 and not very elevated. They build their nest in 

 hollow trees, or on large branches near the trunk, 

 and lay two eggs. These birds are distinguished 

 by the enormous size of their bills, of which the 

 upper mandible is so much curved as to describe 

 nearly a semicircle, and also by the naked skin, 

 furnished with only a few scattered and minute 

 feathers, which covers their cheeks. The natives of 

 South America give the general name of Ara, or 

 Aracara, to the Macaws, a denomination which is 

 evidently in imitation of their note. 



The t}^e of this sub-family is — 



The Blue and Yellow Macaw (Ara cceridea), figured in 

 the precedmg page. 



