THE MACAWS. 185 



the end of the pinion with its foot, so that the wing is some- 

 what raised, and puts its head between the wing and the breast. 

 In the same way it tries to chatter all sorts of things, but 

 nothing but the words 'Parrot' and 'Wait, wait!' can be 

 clearly distinguished. Its food consists of oats and boiled maize 

 (of which latter it is passionately fond), as well as service 

 berries and figs ; it gnaws eagerly the tops and needles of pine 

 twigs." In other respects this species resembles those previously 

 mentioned ; it is also of value as an ornamental bird, and can 

 certainly be bred as well. It seems easier to train in speaking, 

 yet its capabilities scarcely extend beyond a few words. 



As already mentioned, the Ornamented Lory is very rare in 

 the trade. A specimen was first brought to the Zoological 

 Gardens of London in 1873, and in Dr. Platen's collection there 

 were twenty-eight specimens ; but usually it is only imported in 

 couples or in small numbers. 



CHAP. LXXL— THE MACAWS. 



Sittace, Wgl. 



Knoivn as Sjjeaking Parrots from Ancient Times — Suited for 

 Ornamental Purposes — Distinguishing Marks — Habitat — 

 Life in Freedom — Food — Character in Captivity — Talking 

 CajKicity. 



The Macaws are of special interest to the readers of this work, 

 first because they belong to those speaking parrots which have 

 been known from the most ancient times — we find them de- 

 scribed even by Aldrovandi and Gessner — and, secondly, because 

 they all, without exception, have the capacity of learning to 

 speak. The greater number, and the larger among them, have 

 the same relation to parrot lovers as have the cockatoos ; inas- 

 much as, for the same reasons (see p. 137), they are not suitable 

 for keeping in cages in the drawing room, but must, like them, 

 be regarded rather as ornamental birds for ante-rooms, gardens, 

 or verandahs, or even for the fowlyard and park. For this 

 purpose, however, they are very acceptable, as almost without 

 exception they are extremely healthy and hardy. Hence, also, 



